Arthur Dimmesdale begins the novel with the feeling that he should confess, though at the start, his health has not been affected, only his conscience. One person remarks, in regards to Dimmesdale, that he, "takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation." During this very early part of the novel, Dimmesdale is complete in his disguise. Everyone thinks that he is very displeased with what Hester has done. Governor Bellingham supports Dimmesdale fully and asks him to help purge Hester. "'Good Master Dimmesdale,' said he, 'the responsibility of this woman's soul lies great with you." At this point, Dimmesdale becomes trusted with Hester's soul. The irony is that he is the other sinner at the scaffold at this moment. "...I charge t

Eventually, Dimmesdale becomes bolder in his attempts to purge himself, and this seems to weaken him even more. "While thus suffering under bodily disease, and gnawed and tortured by some black trouble of the soul..." The public knows that something is wrong with the Reverend, but they aren't sure what. Perhaps this is what eats away at Dimmesdale the most. "He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit..." His longing to confess becomes greater as his health begins to fail. Dimmesdale is found popular due to the fact that he seems to be able to relate to sinners, but only a few know the reason that he relates so well. "'...I, your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!" Dimmesdale judges himself harshly. This is another reason that his health is so affected. At this point, the observant Pearl notices that something is off about Dimmesdale, "'Mother!-Mother!- Why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?" Dimmesdale feels the ache of the scarlet letter. He holds his hand on his chest in the spot that Hester wears the letter. Dimmesdale does eventually try to confess, "And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation..." He is trying to pay his penance, and even stands with Hester and Pearl. He still is not purged, though, as he won't stand with them during the daytime.

hee to speak out the name of they fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer!" Dimmesdale commands of Hester. He is not strong enough to confess. Dimmesdale, while not wanting to confess, seems to wish that perhaps Hester will speak for him. "...And stand there beside thee on they pedestal of shame, yet

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hester Pearl, Eventually Dimmesdale, Arthur Dimmesdale, Master Dimmesdale', Resolve Dimmesdale, Chillingworth Dimmesdale's, Dimmesdale Hawthorne, Roger Chillingworth, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Governor Bellingham, scarlet letter, arthur dimmesdale, effects sin, unconfessed sin, dimmesdale confess, health affected, hester pearl, eats dimmesdale,
Approximate Word count = 1115
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)