Fear of being judged by the public exists everywhere. It is human nature to be afraid of being perceived negatively by others. In many cases, the “celebrities” who are the most respected by the community suffer from this fear the most. Because society expects these people to be perfect, it makes it harder for respected individuals to admit their flaws. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale suffers from this exact fear of being shamed by the public. The world sees him as a smart, intuitive Puritan reverend that is incapable of doing any wrong, thus increasing the pressure he is under to maintain his perfect image. However, when he and Hester Prynne commit adultery, he finds it frankly impossible to tell the
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To the community, Dimmesdale is simply trying to convince Hester to name the man that helped her commit adultery on her husband. Through his powerful words, Dimmesdale charges Hester to speak out the name of her fellow sinner (63). However, his words inspire the crowd. For a slight moment, all listeners of Dimmesdale’s speech feel a sense of sympathy for Hester as his words vibrate through their hearts (63). In reference to the audience, Dimmesdale’s speech is an astounding success However, to Hester, his speech is not effective. Dimmesdale pleads for Hester to name him as the sinner, but his words are not powerful enough to sway Hester. In the end, Hester shakes her head as she decides to keep Dimmesdale’s name to herself. Finally, Dimmesdale’s speech is also written for himself, in which he ponders if he has the power to come forward. Dimmesdale pleads that it is better for the sinner to stand in shame rather than to hide away in secrecy for the rest of his life (63). Nevertheless, Dimmesdale's words do not compel himself to come forward, as he continues to hide. Therefore, Dimmesdale’s speech is an effort to make Hester come forward and testify against him because Dimmesdale is not brave enough to do …show more content…
Dimmesdale is too afraid to come forward, yet he understands that the only way to get over his sin is by admitting he is the sinner. Therefore, he pleads that Hester tell the world of his sin, “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!” (63). Dimmesdale knows that his only chance at achieving salvation is if he receives the punishment, and he will never be punished unless Hester speaks his name. By using the religious idea of salvation, Dimmesdale’s argument is strengthened because it is supported by Christianity. In the puritan world of Salem, It is hard to argue with the ideas of God. Afterwards, Dimmesdale tells Hester, “Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy, that thereby thou mayest work out an open triumph over the evil within thee and the sorrow without” (63). Once again, Dimmesdale says that heaven has given Hester an opportunity to save Dimmesdale’s soul if she simply says his name. However, using Christianity as a tool to try to convince Hester once again fails. In the end, Dimmesdale can not convince Hester to declare him as the sinner, and he lives on hiding with the weight of his secret on his
To the community, Dimmesdale is simply trying to convince Hester to name the man that helped her commit adultery on her husband. Through his powerful words, Dimmesdale charges Hester to speak out the name of her fellow sinner (63). However, his words inspire the crowd. For a slight moment, all listeners of Dimmesdale’s speech feel a sense of sympathy for Hester as his words vibrate through their hearts (63). In reference to the audience, Dimmesdale’s speech is an astounding success However, to Hester, his speech is not effective. Dimmesdale pleads for Hester to name him as the sinner, but his words are not powerful enough to sway Hester. In the end, Hester shakes her head as she decides to keep Dimmesdale’s name to herself. Finally, Dimmesdale’s speech is also written for himself, in which he ponders if he has the power to come forward. Dimmesdale pleads that it is better for the sinner to stand in shame rather than to hide away in secrecy for the rest of his life (63). Nevertheless, Dimmesdale's words do not compel himself to come forward, as he continues to hide. Therefore, Dimmesdale’s speech is an effort to make Hester come forward and testify against him because Dimmesdale is not brave enough to do …show more content…
Dimmesdale is too afraid to come forward, yet he understands that the only way to get over his sin is by admitting he is the sinner. Therefore, he pleads that Hester tell the world of his sin, “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!” (63). Dimmesdale knows that his only chance at achieving salvation is if he receives the punishment, and he will never be punished unless Hester speaks his name. By using the religious idea of salvation, Dimmesdale’s argument is strengthened because it is supported by Christianity. In the puritan world of Salem, It is hard to argue with the ideas of God. Afterwards, Dimmesdale tells Hester, “Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy, that thereby thou mayest work out an open triumph over the evil within thee and the sorrow without” (63). Once again, Dimmesdale says that heaven has given Hester an opportunity to save Dimmesdale’s soul if she simply says his name. However, using Christianity as a tool to try to convince Hester once again fails. In the end, Dimmesdale can not convince Hester to declare him as the sinner, and he lives on hiding with the weight of his secret on his