“Confession of errors is like a broom which sweeps away dirt and leaves the surface brighter and cleaner,” exhorted Mahatma Gandhi. Most agree Dimmsdale should have confessed his sin with Hester, but some protest not confessing his sins saved Hester and him. Dimmsdale should have confessed his sin with Hester for three reasons: for his soul, for his mistress, and for his God. The first reason Dimmsdale should have confessed his sin with Hester concerns his soul. If Dimmsdale continued to secretly contain the truth, the pain of guilt would wretch his heart forever. Also, Dimmsdale desired to endure the painful and humiliating punishment with Hester. Consequently, Dimmsdale knew in his mind that not professing his sin appalled all sense of
