Arthur Dimmesdale Is A Sinner Essay

He preached; he sinned; he suffered (Pattern 1c). Arthur Dimmesdale is a reverend in Nathaniel Hawthorn’s novel The Scarlet Letter. During a period of weakness, he develops a secret. This secret changes lives, results in many consequences, and effects the meaning of the novel greatly. Being a reverend, Dimmesdale is held to a higher standard then anyone else; however, he is still a sinner. Having an affair with Hester Prynne, not only changes his life but also hers and the life of the baby she has as a result of their affair (Pattern 16). Dimmesdale recognizes his sin and changes how he views life. Hester’s life is affect more dramatically. Because she has a baby, the town is aware of her secret affair. She becomes an outcast and has to wear the letter ‘A’ on her chest.”In this manner, Hester Prynne came to have a part to perform in the world. With her native energy of character and rare capacity, it could not entirely cast her off, although it had set a mark upon her more intolerable to a woman's heart than that which branded the brow of Cain.” Luckily, Hester’s sin did not completely isolate her; she was able to adopt because of her …show more content…
Guilty, Dimmesdale focuses on his congress. His sermons start to reflect his guiltiness and need to confess. In one of his sermons he says, “If thou feelest it to be for thy soul's peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer!" Guiltiness leads to his sickness. As a result, Dimmesdale suffers from a heart illness. This illness symbolizes his guilty heart. Judgement is another big consequence. For Hester, she is judged in front of everyone and deemed a social outcast. She moves on with her life. Dimmesdale on the other hand has to live in guilt for years. When is comes time for him to be judged, it is too much for him. He