Characterization of Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter:
Secrecy and Guilt Leading to a Fatal Redemption
Generally at one point in a person's life they’ve chosen to hide the truth, even if it pained them inside. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter makes Arthur Dimmesdale a prime example of that theory. Arthur Dimmesdale was the most changed character in The Scarlet Letter by accepting to live with a lie, yet in the end he spoke the truth.The theme Hawthorne illustrates reflects upon Arthur Dimmesdale’s selfishness that through secrecy causes him to feel guilty causing him to suffering and drown in eternal misery. However, through trials and subsequent changes leads the truth to be exposed no matter how hard he tries to hide it, eventually comes out. Proven a lie will always find a way out and if kept a secret it will only cause pain and torment.
Usually at least once in a person’s life s/he faces a …show more content…
Hawthorne shows the many examples of Dimmesdale's mind becoming more corrupted by the first starting when he passes a church member and holds back the urge to say horrible things to him. Then he encounters an old woman who is in need of comfort words from the reverend, yet he almost tells her the devastating truths of the her soul. Next he tries to say something provocative to a young beautiful woman who he just converted to the church, yet holds himself back for he doesn't want to corrupt her innocent heart with his nasty words. He then sees a group of little boys and feeling the urge to teach them "wicked words", but escapes that sinful act. Realization hits him and he realizes he won't be able to escape his lie without confess the truth. Hawthorne shows the readers, a lie will always find its way out. Leading up to Dimmesdale's
Secrecy and Guilt Leading to a Fatal Redemption
Generally at one point in a person's life they’ve chosen to hide the truth, even if it pained them inside. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter makes Arthur Dimmesdale a prime example of that theory. Arthur Dimmesdale was the most changed character in The Scarlet Letter by accepting to live with a lie, yet in the end he spoke the truth.The theme Hawthorne illustrates reflects upon Arthur Dimmesdale’s selfishness that through secrecy causes him to feel guilty causing him to suffering and drown in eternal misery. However, through trials and subsequent changes leads the truth to be exposed no matter how hard he tries to hide it, eventually comes out. Proven a lie will always find a way out and if kept a secret it will only cause pain and torment.
Usually at least once in a person’s life s/he faces a …show more content…
Hawthorne shows the many examples of Dimmesdale's mind becoming more corrupted by the first starting when he passes a church member and holds back the urge to say horrible things to him. Then he encounters an old woman who is in need of comfort words from the reverend, yet he almost tells her the devastating truths of the her soul. Next he tries to say something provocative to a young beautiful woman who he just converted to the church, yet holds himself back for he doesn't want to corrupt her innocent heart with his nasty words. He then sees a group of little boys and feeling the urge to teach them "wicked words", but escapes that sinful act. Realization hits him and he realizes he won't be able to escape his lie without confess the truth. Hawthorne shows the readers, a lie will always find its way out. Leading up to Dimmesdale's