Dimmesdale: A look inside a pastor
During the 1600s the American colonists had yet to declare independence from their mother country, Great Britain. Many of the colonists fled from religious persecutions that haunted them in their homeland. One of the many groups of British settlers, the Puritans, escaped and settled in the Northern region of the colonies where soil was not fertile enough. There were heavy forests and encounters with Native Americans. The Puritans believed in strict religious laws and condemned anyone who went against their beliefs. The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 19th century, was set during this time period in Boston, Massachusetts, with strict religious faith and well respected pastors. Hawthorne illustrates the change of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout The Scarlet Letter, which ultimately reflects on one of …show more content…
He is frail, emaciated, his dark circles are huge showing stress in every detail. Mr. Dimmesdale states that the reason he is becoming ill is because he is not fit to humbly serve on earth. It turns out that the more Dimmesdale suffers with his guilt, the better his sermons become. The more he whips himself, the more expressive he is on Sunday and the more his followers worships his words. "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true." (Chapter 20) Dimmesdale’s struggle is hard as he tries to find the reason why his soul is breaking apart. He understands that his actions have fallen both short of God's standards and his own. Dimmesdale greatly fears this represents his lack of salvation. In an attempt to seek redemption, he fasts until he faints and whips himself on the shoulders until he bleeds. Even doing this, Dimmesdale does not give himself the cleansing he
During the 1600s the American colonists had yet to declare independence from their mother country, Great Britain. Many of the colonists fled from religious persecutions that haunted them in their homeland. One of the many groups of British settlers, the Puritans, escaped and settled in the Northern region of the colonies where soil was not fertile enough. There were heavy forests and encounters with Native Americans. The Puritans believed in strict religious laws and condemned anyone who went against their beliefs. The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 19th century, was set during this time period in Boston, Massachusetts, with strict religious faith and well respected pastors. Hawthorne illustrates the change of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout The Scarlet Letter, which ultimately reflects on one of …show more content…
He is frail, emaciated, his dark circles are huge showing stress in every detail. Mr. Dimmesdale states that the reason he is becoming ill is because he is not fit to humbly serve on earth. It turns out that the more Dimmesdale suffers with his guilt, the better his sermons become. The more he whips himself, the more expressive he is on Sunday and the more his followers worships his words. "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true." (Chapter 20) Dimmesdale’s struggle is hard as he tries to find the reason why his soul is breaking apart. He understands that his actions have fallen both short of God's standards and his own. Dimmesdale greatly fears this represents his lack of salvation. In an attempt to seek redemption, he fasts until he faints and whips himself on the shoulders until he bleeds. Even doing this, Dimmesdale does not give himself the cleansing he