In the 17th century, political and religious persecution in England led to the
             pilgrimage of Puritans to America. Their settlements reflected on forms of theocracy to
             completely unify church and state. All laws resulted solely from the Bible and were highly
             punishable if convicted. Nathaniel Hawthorne's portrayal of authoritarian society in The
             Scarlet Letter shows his fascination and disgust with the Puritan belief system. The
             character, Arthur Dimmesdale, exemplifies the outward desecration of man by guilt and
             sin as well as very personal views on the weakness of the Puritan culture.
             Dimmesdale, a member of Salem, Massachusetts's clergy, must deal with his desire
             yet inability to admit to sin. In the eyes of the townspeople, Dimmesdale is one held
             above normal society and considered saintly. It is beneath his robe and collar that
             Dimmesdale hides his adulterous past. To the Puritans of this time, sin was a lawfully
             punishable crime and left the convicted ridiculed through the town. As Dimmesdale
             remains safe in his silence, young Hester Prynne is consequently a figure of immorality in
             her confession. Dimmesdale uses his position in the clergy to prevent his confession.
             Though his eminence of superiority is obvious to those who view him, he contains the
             guilt in his heart. Hawthorne portrays Dimmesdale outwardly with emotion yet there is
             still his internal struggle between his conscience and peer pressure. In the community,
             strong emphasis was placed on morality. As much as Dimmesdale may want to confess,
             there is something always holding him back. He uses excuses like his figure in society and
             his job to make it more appealing to remain silent. The consequences of guilt and sin then
             creep up on Dimmesdale and it is soon the death of him. He is overcome by his feelings
             and engulfed in ability to accept the guilt. Dimmesdale's ultimate downfall is the profession
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