Although there is a lot of controversy surrounding the term dual-identity or dissociative identity disorder, various research and the behavior of characters in The Scarlet Letter and Speak prove it to be true. The illness can be described as a disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states. “DID is a disorder characterized by identity fragmentation rather than a proliferation of separate personalities.” (1) While Chillingworth, Dimmesdale, and Andy all appear to be admirable characters, they all posses guilt, sin, and wickedness that is not apparent to society.
Roger Chillingworth possesses his own guilt, sin, and wickedness. He watches characters become weak, as if he likes to watch them suffer pain. “The …show more content…
What everyone does not see is the shame he hides within his soul. “The judgement of God is on me” answered the conscience-stricken priest. “It is too mighty for me to struggle with!” (3) He is a man of Christ who leads the people of the puritan town to follow the rules that God has set. Oddly enough, Dimmesdale has made a huge mistake in his own life and has gone against Christ, making him a hypocrite. Instead of facing his guilt and punishment (which those with dissociative identity disorder often do), he continues to preach the word of God in attempt to move past his bad actions. Dimmesdale’s guilt began to eat him alive, causing an effect on his physical and mental health, but also his sermons. The internal pain quickly turns into self harm as dimmesdale begins to beat himself during the night. According to The Role of Religious Coping and Resilience in Individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder, this form of abuse is completely normal in DID patients. “Therefore, religious coping is a topic of continual exploration in DID populations, which can include (a) client's fearing they are possessed, (b) clients concerned that they have lost their faith, and (c) clients experiencing hatred for God (Mungadze, 2000). Religion can also bring additional concerns for clients with DID, such as increased feelings of guilt” (2) Obviously, religion played a huge role in Dimmesdale’s life, especially with that being his purpose in life. With different signs proving him as DID --such as his dual-identity-- his actions show just how much his internal shame has affected his health and his outward
Roger Chillingworth possesses his own guilt, sin, and wickedness. He watches characters become weak, as if he likes to watch them suffer pain. “The …show more content…
What everyone does not see is the shame he hides within his soul. “The judgement of God is on me” answered the conscience-stricken priest. “It is too mighty for me to struggle with!” (3) He is a man of Christ who leads the people of the puritan town to follow the rules that God has set. Oddly enough, Dimmesdale has made a huge mistake in his own life and has gone against Christ, making him a hypocrite. Instead of facing his guilt and punishment (which those with dissociative identity disorder often do), he continues to preach the word of God in attempt to move past his bad actions. Dimmesdale’s guilt began to eat him alive, causing an effect on his physical and mental health, but also his sermons. The internal pain quickly turns into self harm as dimmesdale begins to beat himself during the night. According to The Role of Religious Coping and Resilience in Individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder, this form of abuse is completely normal in DID patients. “Therefore, religious coping is a topic of continual exploration in DID populations, which can include (a) client's fearing they are possessed, (b) clients concerned that they have lost their faith, and (c) clients experiencing hatred for God (Mungadze, 2000). Religion can also bring additional concerns for clients with DID, such as increased feelings of guilt” (2) Obviously, religion played a huge role in Dimmesdale’s life, especially with that being his purpose in life. With different signs proving him as DID --such as his dual-identity-- his actions show just how much his internal shame has affected his health and his outward