“The key to creating better plots rests in a deeper understanding of character.” Author Kristen Lamb believes that using literary techniques to present meaningful, dynamic characters remains crucial to making a relatable plot that grabs readers’ attention. In order for an author to keep a reader interested, it proves important for the characters to be interesting. Authors use direct and indirect presentation to bring characters to life in order to make the reader feel emotion. Direct characterization occurs when an author blatantly reveals details about a character to the reader. Indirect presentation gives depth to a character through dialogue and actions. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne practices both direct and indirect
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For seven years, revenge-stricken Roger Chillingworth tortures Dimmesdale. In addition, Dimmesdale sees the face of his love, Hester Prynne, and his own estranged daughter, Pearl, almost every day. The torment of his sin quickly renders him miserable. Primarily, Hawthorne applies direct presentation to portray Dimmesdale’s change in demeanor. Correspondingly, Dimmesdale’s character deepens with indirect presentation as he tries to cope with his overwhelming guilt. However, Dimmesdale acts out of character towards the end of the novel when he speaks to Hester in the forest. Thus, these techniques of character presentation allow Hawthorne to effectively develop Arthur Dimmesdale as a round character who shows that one must be open about mistakes in order to be free from …show more content…
When Dimmesdale spots Hester in the forest, the two begin discussing their shared sin very quickly. He does not, for a moment, hesitate to speak with her, which seems unrealistic for a man “suspicious of all mankind” (Hawthorne 128). Almost instantly, he discusses his sin with Hester and even shows interest in leaving the village. As Dimmesdale walks back to the town, Hester calls out to him and before they can finish exchanging hellos, Dimmesdale “put[s] forth his hand, chill as death, and touche[s] the hand of Hester Prynne” (Hawthorne 181). In a previous chapter, Hawthorne clearly affirms that Dimmesdale does not trust anyone. For such a timid man to immediately touch Hester without fear of God or the consequences appears unlikely. In addition, the pair begin discussing a plan to escape almost directly after their encounter. In its place, Dimmesdale should be hesitant at first, giving Hester the opportunity to break through Dimmesdale’s walls. Instead of talking about leaving straightaway, Dimmesdale would appear less desirous if he would first try to stay away from the topic of his escape. Rather than Hawthorne’s original encounter, when Dimmesdale first saw Hester he “quickly turn[s] his head and hurrie[s] his pace across the path. ‘Arthur, please speak to me, if only for a moment,” Hester Prynne
For seven years, revenge-stricken Roger Chillingworth tortures Dimmesdale. In addition, Dimmesdale sees the face of his love, Hester Prynne, and his own estranged daughter, Pearl, almost every day. The torment of his sin quickly renders him miserable. Primarily, Hawthorne applies direct presentation to portray Dimmesdale’s change in demeanor. Correspondingly, Dimmesdale’s character deepens with indirect presentation as he tries to cope with his overwhelming guilt. However, Dimmesdale acts out of character towards the end of the novel when he speaks to Hester in the forest. Thus, these techniques of character presentation allow Hawthorne to effectively develop Arthur Dimmesdale as a round character who shows that one must be open about mistakes in order to be free from …show more content…
When Dimmesdale spots Hester in the forest, the two begin discussing their shared sin very quickly. He does not, for a moment, hesitate to speak with her, which seems unrealistic for a man “suspicious of all mankind” (Hawthorne 128). Almost instantly, he discusses his sin with Hester and even shows interest in leaving the village. As Dimmesdale walks back to the town, Hester calls out to him and before they can finish exchanging hellos, Dimmesdale “put[s] forth his hand, chill as death, and touche[s] the hand of Hester Prynne” (Hawthorne 181). In a previous chapter, Hawthorne clearly affirms that Dimmesdale does not trust anyone. For such a timid man to immediately touch Hester without fear of God or the consequences appears unlikely. In addition, the pair begin discussing a plan to escape almost directly after their encounter. In its place, Dimmesdale should be hesitant at first, giving Hester the opportunity to break through Dimmesdale’s walls. Instead of talking about leaving straightaway, Dimmesdale would appear less desirous if he would first try to stay away from the topic of his escape. Rather than Hawthorne’s original encounter, when Dimmesdale first saw Hester he “quickly turn[s] his head and hurrie[s] his pace across the path. ‘Arthur, please speak to me, if only for a moment,” Hester Prynne