Effects of sin on Dimmesdale

A detailed Summary of Effects of sin on Dimmesdale

The Effects of Sin Upon Arthur Dimmesdale

Hawthorn shows sins of several different kinds in numerous people, as well as the consequences and remedies of their sins. Three main characters; Hester Prynne, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth bare the most of these sins. Arthur Dimmesdale, however, bares the most brutal effects of such sin. This is due to several reasons.

The most observable reason for his eventual breakdown is the fact that he keeps his sin a secret. Arthur Dimmesdale's sin was the same as Hester's, except he never confessed. "As God's servant, it is his nature to tell the truth, so the years of pretending and hypocrisy were especially hard on him." (Bloom 28) Dimmesdale also believes that his sin has taken the meaning out of his life. His life's work has been dedicated to God, and now his sin has tainted it. He feels that he is a fraud and is not fit to lead the people of the town to salvation.

His secret guilt a much heavier burden than Hester's since he must hold it all within himself. This also reveals Dimmesdale weakness. Arthur wanted desperately to admit his sin to the world, which is shown throughout the book. The earliest incident was when he was asked to question Hester on the scaffold

Dimmesdale is seen throughout the book holding his hand to his heart. It is the sign through which he could symbolize to world both his sin and suffering. It represents his scarlet letter that he forces himself to wear, whether intentionally or subconscious.

This self-inflicted punishment affected his physical appearance to such a degree that others would notice it. While waiting in the woods for him, Hester observed Dimmesdale "leaning on a staff which he had cut by the wayside. He looked haggard and feeble". (Hawthorne 197) Pearl also notices the ministers compulsive behaviors caused by his hidden feelings, as revealed when she asked "will he always keep his hand over his heart?" (Hawthorne 223)

Auther Dimmesdale's own punishment is so oppressive that the chance of leaving with Hester and Pearl makes him the exact opposite of what he has become. He left the woods with twice as much energy as before as he "overcame, in short, all the difficulties of th track, with an unweariably activity that astonished him. He could not but recall how feebly, and with what frequent pauses for breath, he had toiled over the same ground, only two days before." (Hawthorne 227)

In view of the fact that there was no exter

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Approximate Word count = 820
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Effects of sin on Dimmesdale

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