Dimmesdale's Humble Morality

A detailed Summary of Dimmesdale's Humble Morality

Dimmesdale's Humble Mortality--Life is hard, but accepting that fact makes it easier. In this twisted story of deception and adultery set in the Puritan era, Hawthorne introduces Dimmesdale as a weak and cowardly man who refuses to take responsibility for his actions. By the end of the novel he has been transformed into a person who accepts his sins and the consequences, before it is too late; ultimately proving that love surpasses all boundaries, and that one can only be human. At the beginning of the novel, Dimmesdale has established quite a reputation for himself. In discussing individual members of the magistrate, the towns people describe Dimmesdale as a "God fearing" gentleman, "but merciful overmuch (49)." Due to his actions, all of the people respect and look up to the Reverend. Throughout the story, Dimmesdale desperately tries to confess his sin, by envying Hester, for her courage, and he states, "Happy are you Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! (188)." Even at the end of the novel, when finally attempting to confess, people are compelled by his final sermon, raving that "never had a man spoken in so wise, so high, and so holy a spirit, as he that spake this day (p.243)." These facts proved th

his heartache. Similarly, there are also some things that go on that are out of

path although inconvenient, was also the express lane to freedom. Hawthorne's major theme in the book was that people are only human and nothing else, and a character other than Dimmesdale could not have painted such a vivid, and memorable picture in one's mind.

his hand over his heart.. (118)." "He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured, but could not purify, himself (141)." This confirmed, once again, that no good came out of his self-inflicted punishment. Although he was privately repentant at home, he continued to carry out his ministerial duties while attempting to leave his sinful past behind him. Dimmesdale rationalized that if he was to open the burden locked away inside his heart, he would not be able to continue preaching and doing good deeds for the people. After seven long years of torment and agony, he and Hester finally make amends

crime. His morals and ethics however, cause him to inflict torment on himself, including long periods of fasting, and also spending seemingly infinite hours of staring at himself in the mirror. He could also be caught numerous times in his closet, whipping himself and burning the letter "A" on his chest. Sometimes he could be found at the scaffold in the wee hours of the morning, practicing how he was planning to confess the next day, all the while deluding himself int

Some common words found in the essay are:
Similarly Dimmesdale's, Happy Hester, Humble Mortality--Life, Pearl Dimmesdale, Dimmesdale Truth, Abandoning Hester, Pearl Innocent, Pearl Pearl, Dimmesdale God, Reverend Throughout, hester pearl,

Approximate Word count = 963
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English