Dimmesdale Hypocrisy Quotes

For over a hundred years, Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic the Scarlet Letter has allowed readers to be entertained while learning valuable lessons. At the beginning of the story, Dimmesdale is seen as a prestigious church official honored by all. As the story progress, Dimmesdale becomes ill from what the people believe to be his going above and beyond his pastoral duties; however, his illness is truly caused by his hiding of his sin. He is tortured by his deceit until he finally chooses to confess. Dimmesdale’s life of hypocrisy caused him perpetual suffering which eventually led him to true repentance. Throughout the Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale’s life of hypocrisy is demonstrated. Dimmesdale is the highly respected pastor of the church of the New England Colony described in the Scarlet Letter. The deep reverence the people had for their pastor is clearly demonstrated when the people of the city concluded that “if Mr. Dimmesdale were really going to die, it was cause enough, that the world was not worthy to be any longer trodden by his feet” (136). This quote shows how the people believed Dimmesdale to be a righteous man, even more righteous than they were. On the Contrary, Dimmesdale knew who he truly was on the inside. He knew he had sinned but could not bring himself to repentance. He refused to …show more content…
The lesson that is demonstrated throughout the Scarlet Letter is the consequences of sin are inescapable. Dimmesdale and Hester both sinned, and therefore, they would both faced consequences. However, Hester was forced to face her consequences; whereas, Dimmesdale attempted to avoid his. Nonetheless, the repercussions for Dimmesdale’s sin ended being much worse than Hester’s since he tried to avoid them. Since the Scarlet Letter teaches this valuable truth in an interesting story, it will likely remain a classic to be read for many