“Secrets are destructive” (Hopkins) Hawthorne had a similar view on secrets in the novel, The Scarlet Letter as described by the characters: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. They faced the effects of secrets on their mental and physical health. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne some believe the contrast between the scaffold and Hester’s house validate the theme secrets have a destructive effect on the secret keeper; however, the differences between Dimmesdale’s house and the forest are a much better representation. The scaffold and Hester’s house only represent the outcomes of one secret keeper whereas Dimmesdale’s house and the forest demonstrate the consquences of many people. Chillingworth
…show more content…
To start, Dimmesdale confesses, “ I seem to have flung myself-sick, sin stained, and sorrow-blackened-- down upon the forest leaves, and to have risen up all made anew, and with new powers to glorify Him that hath been merciful!” (Hawthorne 198) Dimmesdale realized that hiding his secret was wrong, and once he admits that to Hester he feels like a whole new man because he was able to receive absolution from Hester. Second of all, Hawthorne states, “ The stigma gone, Hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit. O exquisite relief! She had not known the weight until he felt the freedom!” (Hawthorne 199). Hester, after hearing Dimmesdale’s declaration removed the Scarlet Letter from her dress because she purged her soul from her past mistakes, and began new free life. Finally, Hawthorne illustrates, “ Her sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty, came back from what men call the irrevocable past, and clustered themselves, with her maiden hope and a happiness before unknown, within the magic circle of this hour.” (Hawthorne 199) Once Hester removed the cap on her head, she experienced a rebirth, leading her to rekindle her and Dimmesdale’s relationship. With her youthfulness returning to her face, it suggest “honesty is the best policy” which will ultimately lead to acceptance in society. All in all, Hester and Dimmesdale are able to come to terms with their illicit mistake and forgive each other in the comfort of the forest, beginning the process of moving on in
To start, Dimmesdale confesses, “ I seem to have flung myself-sick, sin stained, and sorrow-blackened-- down upon the forest leaves, and to have risen up all made anew, and with new powers to glorify Him that hath been merciful!” (Hawthorne 198) Dimmesdale realized that hiding his secret was wrong, and once he admits that to Hester he feels like a whole new man because he was able to receive absolution from Hester. Second of all, Hawthorne states, “ The stigma gone, Hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit. O exquisite relief! She had not known the weight until he felt the freedom!” (Hawthorne 199). Hester, after hearing Dimmesdale’s declaration removed the Scarlet Letter from her dress because she purged her soul from her past mistakes, and began new free life. Finally, Hawthorne illustrates, “ Her sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty, came back from what men call the irrevocable past, and clustered themselves, with her maiden hope and a happiness before unknown, within the magic circle of this hour.” (Hawthorne 199) Once Hester removed the cap on her head, she experienced a rebirth, leading her to rekindle her and Dimmesdale’s relationship. With her youthfulness returning to her face, it suggest “honesty is the best policy” which will ultimately lead to acceptance in society. All in all, Hester and Dimmesdale are able to come to terms with their illicit mistake and forgive each other in the comfort of the forest, beginning the process of moving on in