ir eyes, the very ground on which he trod was sanctified." (Hawthorne 125) As much as Dimmesdale is revered, Ethan is ignored; thus, Dimmesdale's sinful actions would reverberate to a greater degree throughout the Puritan town. His deeds have more weight and more bearing, because he is such a respected person. However, at the same time, Ethan would be frowned upon for leaving Zenobia because of her illness(es). It would appear that Ethan was deserting his wife in her time of need. In that way, both Dimmesdale and Ethan are bound by society's conventions. Dimmesdale may not have a personal life because he is a messenger from God and Ethan may not seek individual happiness because it is his place to care for Zeena.
             Both Dimmesdale and Frome can be called weak because of their initial responses to their respective situations. Dimmesdale, after committing his sin, presses Hester to name the father of her child, half wishing she will speak the truth so he might share the punishment with her and be done with it. However, with the "wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart" (Hawthorne 63) Hester will not speak, and Dimmesdale is glad of it. He shows his weakness by selfishly allowing Hester to shoulder the blame in entirety for seven long years, and by failing to resolve the situation. He just doesn't know what to do, and turns to Hester in the later moments of his life, "'Think for me, Hester! Thou art strong. Resolve for me!'" (Hawthorne 171) Ethan Frome's weakness lies more in his indecisiveness. He desperately want his own life but feels he will take away from the life of Zeena in order to
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