The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a world-renowned novel due to its enthralling themes and characters. The Scarlet Letter centers on the human response to sin. One of the most enrapturing developments of response can be found in the preacher Arthur Dimmesdale. Hawthorne allows his readers to develop an insight into the fate of someone who lives with repressed guilt. Dimmesdale perfectly satisfies the role of a human’s response developing as time elapses; he starts off being pure and untainted before falling into a depression. Arthur Dimmesdale is portrayed as the pure pastor—the apple of everyone’s eye. Dimmesdale, whom is known as the “godly pastor”, is believed to have taken Hester’s sin “grievously to heart” (5). This interpretation of Arthur Dimmesdale gives the readers the idea that Dimmesdale is a man with a pure soul that takes his congregation’s actions straight to his heart. The insight; consequently, raises the reader’s curiosity of Pearl’s father—Dimmesdale being the last character on their mind. Throughout this ordeal, the question is raised whether Dimmesdale feels any remorse for his participation in such a severe sin. The inquiry arises from Dimmesdale’s lack of outward grievance for his actions. Dimmesdale’s buoyant personality begins to crumble as the novel wears on.
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As Pearl Prynne grows, so does Dimmesdale’s guilt. His oppression of guilt comes back full force and causes him to slowly plummet into a depression. His inward depression is reflected in his physical appearance “his form grew emaciated” (71) as well as through his voice, which obtained a decaying aspect to it. The commoners began to notice the slow, but steady, loss of grace the pastor was faced with. Arthur Dimmesdale’s decline in health causes the reader to see his response to his guilt change. His reflection upon his guilt forces his response to change from ignorance to the pain he believes Hester was faced with. As Dimmesdale’s depression begins to claim total control of him the reader gains insight into his private life that one does not normally get access to. This insight allows readers to learn of Dimmesdale’s self-harming; which ranges from mutilating his body on the outside to depriving his body of necessities. The reader learns of Dimmesdale hiding a “bloody scourge” within his closet; the revelation leaving the reader to contemplate the idea that Dimmesdale is whipping himself as a punishment. It is also learned that Dimmesdale has been engraving an ‘A’ into his chest. The scarred letter upon his chest can be seen as a symbol for Dimmesdale’s participation in adultery along with Hester; she bares the ‘A’ upon her bosom so he believes he should as well. Arthur Dimmesdale continues his self-harm internally though. In Dimmesdale’s eyes he must deprive his body of necessities “as an act of penance” (96). This depravation can be seen through his numerous fasts as well as his vigils. Through Dimmesdale’s need to repent the reader can see his complete change from the novels beginning. Dimmesdale has not only recognized his participation in the sin, but he is now also trying to make up for his mistake. Dimmesdale, subsequently, is reaching rock bottom as the novel begins to end. Dimmesdale slowly begins to finally forgive himself as he takes the steps to slowly familiarize himself with Pearl. As Dimmesdale exposed himself to Pearl he felt his guilt grow as he
As Pearl Prynne grows, so does Dimmesdale’s guilt. His oppression of guilt comes back full force and causes him to slowly plummet into a depression. His inward depression is reflected in his physical appearance “his form grew emaciated” (71) as well as through his voice, which obtained a decaying aspect to it. The commoners began to notice the slow, but steady, loss of grace the pastor was faced with. Arthur Dimmesdale’s decline in health causes the reader to see his response to his guilt change. His reflection upon his guilt forces his response to change from ignorance to the pain he believes Hester was faced with. As Dimmesdale’s depression begins to claim total control of him the reader gains insight into his private life that one does not normally get access to. This insight allows readers to learn of Dimmesdale’s self-harming; which ranges from mutilating his body on the outside to depriving his body of necessities. The reader learns of Dimmesdale hiding a “bloody scourge” within his closet; the revelation leaving the reader to contemplate the idea that Dimmesdale is whipping himself as a punishment. It is also learned that Dimmesdale has been engraving an ‘A’ into his chest. The scarred letter upon his chest can be seen as a symbol for Dimmesdale’s participation in adultery along with Hester; she bares the ‘A’ upon her bosom so he believes he should as well. Arthur Dimmesdale continues his self-harm internally though. In Dimmesdale’s eyes he must deprive his body of necessities “as an act of penance” (96). This depravation can be seen through his numerous fasts as well as his vigils. Through Dimmesdale’s need to repent the reader can see his complete change from the novels beginning. Dimmesdale has not only recognized his participation in the sin, but he is now also trying to make up for his mistake. Dimmesdale, subsequently, is reaching rock bottom as the novel begins to end. Dimmesdale slowly begins to finally forgive himself as he takes the steps to slowly familiarize himself with Pearl. As Dimmesdale exposed himself to Pearl he felt his guilt grow as he