How Is Arthur Dimmesdale Presented In The Scaffold Letter

In “The Minister’s Vigil” Nathaniel Hawthorne develops depth to the characters by evaluating sin and guilt. The second scaffold scene in the novel reveals Arthur Dimmesdale’s feelings of guilt. The minister stands on the scaffold during the night in attempt to confess his guilt. In the first scaffold scene Hester stands on the scaffold with Pearl in her arms. In this scene the name of the father is investigated by Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. The two scenes in comparison differentiate when looking at characters and plot. However they are similar because both feel guilt for their shared sin. “The Minister’s Vigil” has many important figures, the main character Arthur Dimmesdale confronts his own feelings and is able to see his sin before him. While standing on the scaffold Dimmesdale watches Reverend Wilson walk by, but Wilson does not recognize his presence. However while standing on the scaffold Dimmesdale does call the attention of Hester and Pearl Prynne. Dimmesdale also brings the attention of Chillingworth. Chillingworth watches Pearl, Hester, and Dimmesdale while they stand together. The people that Dimmesdale interacts with while practicing his confession are some main …show more content…
Dimmesdale preaches sermons that are based on everyone in the community thinking he is sinless. Some women in the community worship Dimmesdale for giving strong sermons. They believe that he is sinless and could never do anything to receive severe punishment. In the scene there is also underlying meaning of sin. This comes from the community thinking the “A” in the sky the night that the old governor died represents angel. However, Dimmesdale and Hester thought the “A” in the sky represented their adultery. The scene also reveals more about Chillingworth. He was in the first scaffold scene watching Hester while she stood on the scaffold. In the second scene Chillingworth watches Dimmesdale, Pearl, and Hester from a far