Self Destruction in The Scarlet Letter In the book The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne the theme of self destruction is extremely prevalent. Even though, some say that punishment imposed by others is worse, guilt that is imposed on oneself is more destructive. Reverend Dimmesdale is epitome for self destruction. Dimmesdale committed a sin and was too much of a coward to admit to it so in return he was literally killing himself because he couldn't handle the immense guilt. Whereas Hester Prynne told everyone the truth and in return she didn’t have to live such a miserable life.
Hester from the beginning was forced to admit that she had committed a sin so she didn’t have to endure the pain of the never-ending guilt. Instead, she had …show more content…
Dimmesdale is miserable because he will not confess nor will he own up to his sin publicly like Hester. For example, when Dimmesdale is questioning Hester on the scaffold he says, “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.”. (Hawthorne, 47) In this quote, he is asking Hester to out him because he is suffering too much and if everyone knew about his wrongdoing, his soul would finally be at peace. Also, Dimmesdale repeatedly beats himself at night because the guilt is so overwhelming that he feels abusing himself will relieve his guilty conscience. In addition, Dimmesdale actually becomes ill because of his guilt (he is constantly grabbing at his chest “On that spot [his chest], in very truth, there was, and there had long been, the gnawing and poisonous tooth of bodily pain.”(Hawthorne, 102)) so he has to live with Chillingworth and endure his never-ending torture. “There was no one place so secret--no high place nor lowly place where thou could have escaped me--save on this very scaffold.” (Hawthorne, 173) His guilt was so immense that he honestly felt like he needed more than just a doctor to help him. For example, he says, “No-not to thee-not to an earthly physician.” (Hawthorne, 94) He feels
Hester from the beginning was forced to admit that she had committed a sin so she didn’t have to endure the pain of the never-ending guilt. Instead, she had …show more content…
Dimmesdale is miserable because he will not confess nor will he own up to his sin publicly like Hester. For example, when Dimmesdale is questioning Hester on the scaffold he says, “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.”. (Hawthorne, 47) In this quote, he is asking Hester to out him because he is suffering too much and if everyone knew about his wrongdoing, his soul would finally be at peace. Also, Dimmesdale repeatedly beats himself at night because the guilt is so overwhelming that he feels abusing himself will relieve his guilty conscience. In addition, Dimmesdale actually becomes ill because of his guilt (he is constantly grabbing at his chest “On that spot [his chest], in very truth, there was, and there had long been, the gnawing and poisonous tooth of bodily pain.”(Hawthorne, 102)) so he has to live with Chillingworth and endure his never-ending torture. “There was no one place so secret--no high place nor lowly place where thou could have escaped me--save on this very scaffold.” (Hawthorne, 173) His guilt was so immense that he honestly felt like he needed more than just a doctor to help him. For example, he says, “No-not to thee-not to an earthly physician.” (Hawthorne, 94) He feels