Vengeance In Mr. Dimmesdale In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

The Fall Of Man Have you ever held a grudge against someone who wronged you? Did you ever forgive them? Should you? This is the dilemma that Roger Prynne faced in the book ‘The Scarlet Letter”, when he discovered that Arthur Dimmesdale, a revered pastor and public figure, committed adultery with his wife, Hester Prynne. And, while all believe that Arthur committed this sinful act, there is a controversy over whether Roger should forgive Mr. Dimmesdale, or exact revenge upon him. Roger Prynne should not seek vengeance upon Arthur Dimmesdale because Mr. Dimmesdale repented, Hester repented, and Roger will be destroyed by revenge. The commencing attack upon the reasoning of Roger Prynne is that Mr. Dimmesdale repented of his sins. After committing the heinous act before mentioned, Mr. Dimmesdale continued his work as a pastor, undoubtedly helping many to mend their ways and come to Christ. He even, eventually, admitted what he did to the whole community, standing on the scaffold with his mistress and their child, openly stating to all his sins. Before this, however, he punished himself for many years, carving the …show more content…
She too repented, which is the second reason for Roger to not condemn Mr. Dimmesdale. Punishing Arthur would most definitely punish Hester too, for she obviously cared for the man, and the scarlet letter was enough punishment for her. Also, hester was doing good by her child, Pearl, raising her in a manner that was good for a growing child. Hester was not only doing good by her child, however. She was also helping others around her, not in any specific manner, just helping out when she heard or spotted someone in need. Certainly better than being a bitter shut in, or plotting vengeance against the ones who put the letter upon her