It is stated by Arthur Dimmesdale, “Be not silent from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him; for, believe me, Hester, though he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life." (64) The Scarlet Letter is a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne based on a bed of lies, hypocrisy and sin that focuses on Hester Prynne. She is a young, beautiful woman who is married to a mysterious older man named Roger Chillingworth. Hester commits adultery with a man by the name of Arthur Dimmesdale, who is the father of their lovechild. Dimmesdale’s journey is central to that of the story and goes to show the reader just how important being true to your heart
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Hawthorne illustrates the placement of Dimmesdale’s hand over his heart to bring attention to his suffering on many occasions throughout the novel. Yet another instance of this occurrence takes place on page 186, when Dimmesdale dramatically exclaims, “How am I to live longer, breathing the same air with this deadly enemy?”, then he “(presses) his hand nervously against his heart.” This gesture is noted to have become “involuntary” and is an outward symbol of the embodiment of his guilt (187). Although Arthur’s guilt seems evident to those who know his back story, his actions are not quite prevalent enough to reveal his actions to the people of …show more content…
He no longers hides his shame from the world. Dimmesdale’s secret is in plain view of the people of Salem. Dimmesdale’s guilt, pain and deceit all lead to this one moment in time. During this scene, Dimmesdale and Hester are joined as one. Pearl has a recognized earthly father and Chillingworth has lost his purpose in life. After years of self-loathing, Dimmesdale lays down and dies. Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale begins as a carefree pastor full of life. In the end, he dies upon the scaffold with his lover and daughter by his side. Dimmesdale searches for a life free from sin and guilt, and only finds it moments before his time has run out. His guilt and actions wore down his soul, and his last dying breath was a sigh of relief heard throughout the hearts of his
Hawthorne illustrates the placement of Dimmesdale’s hand over his heart to bring attention to his suffering on many occasions throughout the novel. Yet another instance of this occurrence takes place on page 186, when Dimmesdale dramatically exclaims, “How am I to live longer, breathing the same air with this deadly enemy?”, then he “(presses) his hand nervously against his heart.” This gesture is noted to have become “involuntary” and is an outward symbol of the embodiment of his guilt (187). Although Arthur’s guilt seems evident to those who know his back story, his actions are not quite prevalent enough to reveal his actions to the people of …show more content…
He no longers hides his shame from the world. Dimmesdale’s secret is in plain view of the people of Salem. Dimmesdale’s guilt, pain and deceit all lead to this one moment in time. During this scene, Dimmesdale and Hester are joined as one. Pearl has a recognized earthly father and Chillingworth has lost his purpose in life. After years of self-loathing, Dimmesdale lays down and dies. Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale begins as a carefree pastor full of life. In the end, he dies upon the scaffold with his lover and daughter by his side. Dimmesdale searches for a life free from sin and guilt, and only finds it moments before his time has run out. His guilt and actions wore down his soul, and his last dying breath was a sigh of relief heard throughout the hearts of his