The Man of Mystery: An Arthur Dimmesdale Character Analysis from The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne proves that guilt and grief can build on top of an individual, but it only gets heavier. Out of the four major characters in The Scarlet Letter, which surround evil, sin and criticism, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is the only Puritan. Being a Puritan plays a big role in Dimmesdale’s character. He is excellent at doing his Puritan duties as a minister; however, he knows he has sinned. Throughout the novel, he battles with himself because of the error he has made, which psychologically destroys him. Arthur Dimmesdale, a young, educated, handsome Puritan minister remains passionately devoted to God throughout the entire novel. Due to his pious spirit, his congregation loves him. Dimmesdale, however, has engaged in adultery with Hester Prynne and cannot accept his punishment, suffering as a result of keeping the big secret. Failure to …show more content…
Isolating himself from the rest of the world began to eat away his feelings. Throughout the seven years, he reverts to self-punishment in the form of fasting consecutively, sleepless vigils, and relentless studying of the Bible. Following the example of Hester’s scarlet letter, Dimmesdale decides to make the “scarlet letter” appear not just in his heart, but on his chest as well. Whipping himself, Dimmesdale soon creates a mark on his chest that he could consider his “scarlet letter”. Nevertheless, this “scarlet letter” can never be seen, always hidden underneath his shirt. Hurting himself this way, Dimmesdale also fasts and keeps fasting for long stretches of time. The public viewed all of these activities as noble acts of devotion to God, and they only admired him more and more. This public veneration just made him feel like he is even more of a horrible person, and that his whole life was based upon a
Nathaniel Hawthorne proves that guilt and grief can build on top of an individual, but it only gets heavier. Out of the four major characters in The Scarlet Letter, which surround evil, sin and criticism, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is the only Puritan. Being a Puritan plays a big role in Dimmesdale’s character. He is excellent at doing his Puritan duties as a minister; however, he knows he has sinned. Throughout the novel, he battles with himself because of the error he has made, which psychologically destroys him. Arthur Dimmesdale, a young, educated, handsome Puritan minister remains passionately devoted to God throughout the entire novel. Due to his pious spirit, his congregation loves him. Dimmesdale, however, has engaged in adultery with Hester Prynne and cannot accept his punishment, suffering as a result of keeping the big secret. Failure to …show more content…
Isolating himself from the rest of the world began to eat away his feelings. Throughout the seven years, he reverts to self-punishment in the form of fasting consecutively, sleepless vigils, and relentless studying of the Bible. Following the example of Hester’s scarlet letter, Dimmesdale decides to make the “scarlet letter” appear not just in his heart, but on his chest as well. Whipping himself, Dimmesdale soon creates a mark on his chest that he could consider his “scarlet letter”. Nevertheless, this “scarlet letter” can never be seen, always hidden underneath his shirt. Hurting himself this way, Dimmesdale also fasts and keeps fasting for long stretches of time. The public viewed all of these activities as noble acts of devotion to God, and they only admired him more and more. This public veneration just made him feel like he is even more of a horrible person, and that his whole life was based upon a