Dimmesdale's Identity

Besides Hester, Hawthorne also employs Dimmesdale to further explore the themes of identity and individuality. Unlike Hester, who freed herself from society due to her isolation and personally took command of her identity, Dimmesdale remains largely trapped in society, in constant contact with the townsfolk, and remains dependant on society to define his identity for the majority of the novel. He commits the sin of adultery with Hester, but evades all the public shame and suffering Hester has gone through over the years. Because of this, Dimmesdale develops a deep sense of guilt and self-loathing, as he allowed Hester to suffer, while he only increases his stature with the town. He often determines to divulge his sin, longing to “speak out, …show more content…
He works as one of the town reverends, and religion, by its very nature, is a rigid profession, requiring a strict adherence to the holy texts and the hierarchal system. The narrator describes Dimmesdale as “a true priest, a true religionist,” further demonstrating his acceptance of this rigid profession, and his confinement by society. Dimmesdale’s identity is so dependent on society, that it would “be essential to his peace to feel the pressure of a faith about him,” which “confined him” within its “iron framework,” while also “supporting” him. (Page 111) This juxtaposition of terms, between “supporting” and “confined,” aims to expose more about Dimmesdale’s identity. His faith, his profession as a priest confines him in the strict regulations and “framework” that it presents. Dimmesdale has no opportunity to break away from what his faith dictates to him. However, the use of support also implies that Dimmesdale is comfortable with this arrangement, and believes it necessary to have his identity regulated by society and the church. Further evidence of his identity’s dependence on society exists after the scene in the forest with Hester, where they decide to flee, and Dimmesdale realizes his ties with society no longer matter. With this newfound freedom in mind, Dimmesdale’s identity fluctuates wildly. When he returns to the town, everything appears different, with an “obtrusive sense of change,” he feels irresistible urges to do “some strange, wild, wicked thing or other,” and he has changed in a way only he would recognize. (Pages 198-199) Dimmesdale, up to his point, has acted piously and decorously, and suddenly he can barely stop himself from teaching children swear words, destroying an elderly woman’s faith, and blaspheming to the deacon. This radical change in identity occurs because of Dimmesdale’s newfound freedom from society. He believes he will escape with Hester and Pearl to