Throughout the story, Arthur Dimmesdale illustrates how putting on a false face results in physical and mental disintegration√. While dealing with the guilt of adultery, Arthur Dimmesdale uses his preaching to hide his shame<--ideally, you would connect your example explicitly to your thesis. You mention physical and mental degradation, but speak of D. hiding his shame. How do those things connect? . During one of his sermons, Dimmesdale claims that he is “altogether vile, a viler companion of the vilest, the worst of sinners, an abomination, a thing of unimaginable iniquity” (Hawthorne 119). Here√, Dimmesdale claims he is a sinner without specifying what the sin actually is, so the listeners can not picture his transgression in their minds.
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One might remember of Chillingworth’s openness about his malevolence when Hester attempts to convince him to stop torturing Dimmesdale; Chillingworth exclaims, “Dost thou remember me? Hester as I was nine years anone… no life had been more peaceful and innocent than mine; few lives so rich with benefits conferred. Dost that remember me? Was I not, though you might deem cold, nevertheless, a man thoughtful for others craving little for himself... What am I now… I am a fiend!”(142). Thus, Chillingworth appears to attempt to match his outside identity with his inside identity. Nevertheless, his dishonest relationship with Dimmesdale is a key sign of his lack of integrity. For example, when Chillingworth figures out that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father, he stalks and deceives the adulterer, coming off as welcoming and caring while in truth he is deceitful and devious. During a conversation between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, the minister asks, “Where, my kind doctor, did you gather those herbs, with such a dark, flabby leaf?”(108). Chillingworth responds, “I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, more other memorial of the dead man, save his ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in remembrance… they grew out of his heart, and typify, it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime.” (108). Chillingworth knows that Dimmesdale is suffering from the guilt of his secret, and wants to keep reminding him about his sin so it will never leave his mind. Chillingworth wants to implant the image of a guilt as weed inside Dimmesdale’s head, as if it was eating him from the inside out. However, Chillingworth is not exempt from retribution, and he too suffers for his dishonesty. After
One might remember of Chillingworth’s openness about his malevolence when Hester attempts to convince him to stop torturing Dimmesdale; Chillingworth exclaims, “Dost thou remember me? Hester as I was nine years anone… no life had been more peaceful and innocent than mine; few lives so rich with benefits conferred. Dost that remember me? Was I not, though you might deem cold, nevertheless, a man thoughtful for others craving little for himself... What am I now… I am a fiend!”(142). Thus, Chillingworth appears to attempt to match his outside identity with his inside identity. Nevertheless, his dishonest relationship with Dimmesdale is a key sign of his lack of integrity. For example, when Chillingworth figures out that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father, he stalks and deceives the adulterer, coming off as welcoming and caring while in truth he is deceitful and devious. During a conversation between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, the minister asks, “Where, my kind doctor, did you gather those herbs, with such a dark, flabby leaf?”(108). Chillingworth responds, “I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, more other memorial of the dead man, save his ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in remembrance… they grew out of his heart, and typify, it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime.” (108). Chillingworth knows that Dimmesdale is suffering from the guilt of his secret, and wants to keep reminding him about his sin so it will never leave his mind. Chillingworth wants to implant the image of a guilt as weed inside Dimmesdale’s head, as if it was eating him from the inside out. However, Chillingworth is not exempt from retribution, and he too suffers for his dishonesty. After