Arthur Dimmesdale And Chillingworth In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hawthorne’s objective is to convey a message that individuals must be true to themselves and to others. Hawthorne allows readers to see what prompts characters to act the way they do such as Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth and Pearl Prynne. Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth do no stay true to themselves or others around them, hence their life’s negative outcome. Pearl remains true to herself and those around her, hence her life’s positive outcome. Arthur Dimmesdale, a selfish, reserved minister, learns his lesson when he has not been true to himself and those around him. Throughout his life Dimmesdale tries to hide his sinful nature and make sure no one finds out about his adulterous behavior with Hester. If anyone were to find out, he too would receive a punishment similar to Hester's and he does not want to apprehend the consequences that come with adultery. He realizes, later on in his life, that he makes numerous mistakes that cannot be restored. For example, he does not concede to anything and allows the town to humiliate and verbally harass Hester. To be true to himself and others he must admit the truth to the townspeople and accept his retribution. Dimmesdale, not being true to himself and those around him, suffers a humiliating death on the scaffold, where his longest kept secret originates. Without this scene in the …show more content…
Clearly, through the use of irony, and flashback readers can unmistakably realize that Hawthorne tries to convey the message that everyone must be true to themselves and others round them. Readers also understand that if individuals remain true to themselves and those around them there are positive fallouts and if individuals do not remain true to themselves and those around them there are negative