A great deal of blood has been shed and many wars have been fought during the history of
greatest battle and most formidable enemy is only himself. This has been made only more evident
time and the development of the human character. However, one factor that has remained constant
character through this development is conscience. Conscience can be man's saving grace or his
presence may simultaneously purify and mar. As contradictory as this may sound, it has been
Nathaniel Hawthorne who chronicles one man's battle against himself in The Scarlet Letter. In
Arthur Dimmesdale struggles to pacify his conscience and withhold the secret of his sin from
conscience continues to consume all that is his very essence, Arthur Dimmesdale illustrates
sin-stained conscience and redemption only through truth. The novel begins to delve into the
Arthur Dimmesdale when Roger Chillingworth questions him about his thoughts on sinners and their
well the torment of his own secret, Arthur proclaims that those who hold such "miserable
last day...with a joy unutterable." By this expression, Arthur offers a glimpse into his tortured
a burden his secret is. When Chillingworth further inquires about such sinful secrets, Arthur
motion that he carries out as "if afflicted with an importunate throb of pain." Evidently Arthur
reader is presented with the thought that this gesture possibly is not done as much out of
suffering. Not only is the health of Arthur's body in question, but the condition of his heart,
...