Hester Prynne is admonishing herself for not taking a big enough weight off of Dimmesdale’s shoulders, feeling as if she should have told him of the doctor’s malicious intents earlier. For years, Hester has lied to Dimmesdale by not telling him of her ex husband’s vengeful plot against him. As such, this is shown through the quote,“...she was responsible to this unhappy man, in permitting him to lie for so many years, or, indeed,...”, showing clearly how Hester takes responsibility for lying to Dimmesdale about the doctor for so long. Not only that, but she also feels dreadful for in a way being selfish and not taking this responsibility earlier this is shown through, “...in the misanthropy of her own trouble, she left the minister to bear
