Holier Than Thou From the time of King David and Bathsheba to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky affairs have been some of the most popular scandals in history. Most common of the ones we hear of come from well-known names and reputations. Likewise in Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter discovering Hester Prynne’s “partner in crime” was the minister Dimmesdale evidenced Hawthorne’s obvious disagreement with the Puritan’s during this time period. Dimmesdale represents the hypocrisy in organized religion, while the townspeople of Salem in the story represent a biased society created as a result of a mix between the church and government. Throughout history the men or women placed high in society and of exceptional moral standard are often found
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Conceivably, if he had taken responsibility of his actions and endured the punishment adequate to his crime he could have been a hero. Readers learn Dimmesdale punishes himself in chapter ten, “ While thus suffering under bodily disease and gnawed an tortured by some black trouble of the soul”, but not to the extent of Hester’s punishment. (Hawthorne 117). He may be a minister but his title should be another incentive to come forward. Dimmesdale could lose his job and reputation, but technically so did Hester. Undoubtedly his doings were sinful but simply admitting to his crime earlier would eliminate his guilty heart and the townspeople of Salem would have felt more sympathy towards him in the …show more content…
These people raised Dimmesdale and controlled his income; therefore, they have the biggest influence on his decisions. Not only do the townsfolk serve as an extremely partisan society but also they are the main reason behind Dimmesdale being too afraid to take Hester and Pearl’s hand in public. Today if a minister had an affair with a married woman he would lose his job and credibility as a “man of God”; however, in a few years most people would forget. Even in the Bible Belt of the South where anything out of the social expectancy is looked down upon, one could expect to eventually build up to a better reputation. The Puritans do not forget. In The Scarlet Letter seven years has passed and people are still gossiping about Hester Prynne and her affair. One mistake in this religious society and everyone remembers. Nobody wants to be remembered for their sins, especially if their occupation of choice is minister. Therefore , it does not seem absurd that the minister Dimmesdale is reluctant to confess to his crime. If put in a similar situation few people would be bold enough to confess and claim the punishment. Furthermore, Dimmesdale not sharing the shame of the “A” with Hester publically showed cowardice, and in the Puritan’s dogmatic world it only made things
Conceivably, if he had taken responsibility of his actions and endured the punishment adequate to his crime he could have been a hero. Readers learn Dimmesdale punishes himself in chapter ten, “ While thus suffering under bodily disease and gnawed an tortured by some black trouble of the soul”, but not to the extent of Hester’s punishment. (Hawthorne 117). He may be a minister but his title should be another incentive to come forward. Dimmesdale could lose his job and reputation, but technically so did Hester. Undoubtedly his doings were sinful but simply admitting to his crime earlier would eliminate his guilty heart and the townspeople of Salem would have felt more sympathy towards him in the …show more content…
These people raised Dimmesdale and controlled his income; therefore, they have the biggest influence on his decisions. Not only do the townsfolk serve as an extremely partisan society but also they are the main reason behind Dimmesdale being too afraid to take Hester and Pearl’s hand in public. Today if a minister had an affair with a married woman he would lose his job and credibility as a “man of God”; however, in a few years most people would forget. Even in the Bible Belt of the South where anything out of the social expectancy is looked down upon, one could expect to eventually build up to a better reputation. The Puritans do not forget. In The Scarlet Letter seven years has passed and people are still gossiping about Hester Prynne and her affair. One mistake in this religious society and everyone remembers. Nobody wants to be remembered for their sins, especially if their occupation of choice is minister. Therefore , it does not seem absurd that the minister Dimmesdale is reluctant to confess to his crime. If put in a similar situation few people would be bold enough to confess and claim the punishment. Furthermore, Dimmesdale not sharing the shame of the “A” with Hester publically showed cowardice, and in the Puritan’s dogmatic world it only made things