“The sun, but little its meridian, shone down upon the clergyman, and gave a distinctiveness to his figure, as he stood out from all the earth, to put in his plea of guilty at the bar of Eternal Justice” (Hawthorn 227).
Arthur Dimmesdale finally gained enough courage to finally face his worst critiques, and with his guilty plea he was able to gain salvation. It is saddening and also very uplifting to know that his parting words with the world were the confession of his greatest sin. It is heartbreaking that his confession came at the end of his life, because he never had a chance to know his daughter or be at her wedding, and never the chance leave a peaceful life, without torment. All things are not bad because for the first time in seven year Dimmesdale was the man he felt in the inside. They were no longer a disparity between whom he felt in the inside and who he truly was. He no longer felt like the hypocrite who was revered as the pinnacle of goodness and religion. No one is perfect and he was finally able to show that to the people of Boston. The most important thing Dimmesdale learned was that the worst people can obtain salvation. Because when he spent his final hour on the scaffold he told Hester that, “He [God] is merciful” (229). Like Proctor, Dimmesdale was able to find redemption and subsequently Dimmesdale was able to find freedom.
“Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” (231).
Being true to yourself is a great life lesson that all should learn, no one is truly perfect and never will we ever. The only thing we can do is try the best we can possibly achieve and God will take care of the rest. It is unhealthy for people to hold in emotions like Dimmesdale did because he became trap and allowed his feeling to dictate is life. Dimmesdale became so wrath up in his sentiment that he became blinded by the truth. Also the fact that he held on to these feeling for so long that it was one of the dominating factors of his death. Another person who was not truthful to themselves and died was Roger Chillingworth. He also concentrated a great deal of time and passion in carrying out his evil plan that when Dimmesdale died he was exhausted and had no stamina to go on. Something that every ironic about this quote is that is goes against Puritan teaching, because the Puritans belief that they are without sin.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
“The excitement of Mr. Dimmesdale’s feeling, as he returned from his interview with Hester, lent him unaccustomed physical energy” (Hawthorn 194).
There is not power which is greater than the power of love. Genuine love can healing emotional pain more than any medicine can. When Dimmesdale met with Hester from that small meeting he was able to gain a little bit of energy. From Hester he was able to feel a small amount an inner peace which made him happy. For one she is the only person he could talk to about the incident and she accepted and loved him for all he was. If, I were Chillingworth I to would hate such a man. Dimmesdale is able to bring joy into the life of the very woman he adored with all his might. The very thing Chillingworth wanted to destroy in Dimmesdale he was able acquire from Hester. This mean that Dimmesdale’s crushed spirit could be healed, under the watchful eye of love and not of evil. Not until this moment, they were not sufficient evidence that showed that their sin was conceived under the sheet of love and good interest. Adultery is a great sin but is not love a greater virtue. Are not ones intention hold more value than their actions?
"She had possessed a singular variety, and could transform her mobile physiognomy into a series of different aspect, with a new mischief in them" (191).
Pearl’s thought process is very constrictive in a way. She is very logical in same ways. For example, she does not understand why she has to pretend not knowing Dimmesdale for a time then after a time she should. Or why stand on the scaffold with him at night not in the day and until she complete understands she retaliates against her mother. Some times Hester disciplines her and other times she just takes in what Pearl has to say about her. One of these instances was in the forest when Hester took of her scarlet letter and let down her hair. She tells her mother to put it up on put back the scarlet letter back. It was like she wanted her mother to sad and depressed all the time. When she find a little bit of happiness it like Pearl want to take it away out of pure jealousy: "the jealousy that seem instinctive with every petted child towards a dangerous rival" (191). Pearl might feel threaten by the feelings Hester held for Dimmesdale. In a way, what Pearl is doing to her mother is like Chillingworth's relationship with Dimmesdale. They are there to push and remind them of their crime. Even when Dimmesale and Hester try to run away they are there to sunk them back into their misery.
There is not power which is greater than the power of love. Genuine love can healing emotional pain more than any medicine can. When Dimmesdale met with Hester from that small meeting he was able to gain a little bit of energy. From Hester he was able to feel a small amount an inner peace which made him happy. For one she is the only person he could talk to about the incident and she accepted and loved him for all he was. If, I were Chillingworth I to would hate such a man. Dimmesdale is able to bring joy into the life of the very woman he adored with all his might. The very thing Chillingworth wanted to destroy in Dimmesdale he was able acquire from Hester. This mean that Dimmesdale’s crushed spirit could be healed, under the watchful eye of love and not of evil. Not until this moment, they were not sufficient evidence that showed that their sin was conceived under the sheet of love and good interest. Adultery is a great sin but is not love a greater virtue. Are not ones intention hold more value than their actions?
"She had possessed a singular variety, and could transform her mobile physiognomy into a series of different aspect, with a new mischief in them" (191).
Pearl’s thought process is very constrictive in a way. She is very logical in same ways. For example, she does not understand why she has to pretend not knowing Dimmesdale for a time then after a time she should. Or why stand on the scaffold with him at night not in the day and until she complete understands she retaliates against her mother. Some times Hester disciplines her and other times she just takes in what Pearl has to say about her. One of these instances was in the forest when Hester took of her scarlet letter and let down her hair. She tells her mother to put it up on put back the scarlet letter back. It was like she wanted her mother to sad and depressed all the time. When she find a little bit of happiness it like Pearl want to take it away out of pure jealousy: "the jealousy that seem instinctive with every petted child towards a dangerous rival" (191). Pearl might feel threaten by the feelings Hester held for Dimmesdale. In a way, what Pearl is doing to her mother is like Chillingworth's relationship with Dimmesdale. They are there to push and remind them of their crime. Even when Dimmesale and Hester try to run away they are there to sunk them back into their misery.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
“A story about the Black Man... How e haunts and carries a book with him a heavy book... and they are to write their names with their own blood” (Hawthorn 167).
No one really knows about Pearl’s insightful ways. She seems to know things that most kids her age would understand or even care about. She is an exaggerated character because she does not child like traits. She not the type of kid who jus cries or teases adults. She is there to guide the reader and at times she points out the very obvious and other give powerful insights on a character. She knows everything right from wrong, truths from lies, and good and evil by just looking at people; but at the same time she makes weird and outrageous claims. When she told her mother about the Black Man, and his book in the forest. Although true but how would she know this. Hawthorns young character a there to serve a purpose but he characterize the speech or some times their action as of an adults. Nonetheless, no one really knows about kids during that time period but it is doubtful they comprehended the world around them so well. When reading about them it is like they are not real.
“I have laughed, in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am!” (173).
For Arthur Dimmesdale to accept his redemption it probably has to personally be announced to him by Jesus Christ himself. He is constantly beating himself up for something that he should probably have moved on from. If he carries the burden it is fine, a lot of things people do forgive themselves but never forget about it. Dimmesdale just let the whole tragedy run his whole entire life, so much that it is slowly killing him and making him vulnerably the Satan’s revenge. After the number of years that pass he shows of made a decision to free himself already. People like him do not feel like they could earn God’s love because they are not worthy. Out all people Dimmesdale should of know, it is said in the Bible and taught throughout religion except for few that God’s love is always there and all one has to do is ask for it. Dimmesdale is much more than worthy then God’s love. It is like he asks and asks for forgiveness and when it is given to him just turns away from it. The way you know that God has forgiven you is because He is gives you the courage and the opportunity to forgive yourself. Dimmesdale is just not taking these many opportunities he just laments and gets more and more sick and weak every day. If he opened his eyes he would see that the best thing that ever happen to Boston and he is the best clergymen ever because is leaves and understands the congregation’s struggles.
No one really knows about Pearl’s insightful ways. She seems to know things that most kids her age would understand or even care about. She is an exaggerated character because she does not child like traits. She not the type of kid who jus cries or teases adults. She is there to guide the reader and at times she points out the very obvious and other give powerful insights on a character. She knows everything right from wrong, truths from lies, and good and evil by just looking at people; but at the same time she makes weird and outrageous claims. When she told her mother about the Black Man, and his book in the forest. Although true but how would she know this. Hawthorns young character a there to serve a purpose but he characterize the speech or some times their action as of an adults. Nonetheless, no one really knows about kids during that time period but it is doubtful they comprehended the world around them so well. When reading about them it is like they are not real.
“I have laughed, in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am!” (173).
For Arthur Dimmesdale to accept his redemption it probably has to personally be announced to him by Jesus Christ himself. He is constantly beating himself up for something that he should probably have moved on from. If he carries the burden it is fine, a lot of things people do forgive themselves but never forget about it. Dimmesdale just let the whole tragedy run his whole entire life, so much that it is slowly killing him and making him vulnerably the Satan’s revenge. After the number of years that pass he shows of made a decision to free himself already. People like him do not feel like they could earn God’s love because they are not worthy. Out all people Dimmesdale should of know, it is said in the Bible and taught throughout religion except for few that God’s love is always there and all one has to do is ask for it. Dimmesdale is much more than worthy then God’s love. It is like he asks and asks for forgiveness and when it is given to him just turns away from it. The way you know that God has forgiven you is because He is gives you the courage and the opportunity to forgive yourself. Dimmesdale is just not taking these many opportunities he just laments and gets more and more sick and weak every day. If he opened his eyes he would see that the best thing that ever happen to Boston and he is the best clergymen ever because is leaves and understands the congregation’s struggles.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
“They said that it [the scarlet letter] mean Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a women’s strength” (Hawthorn 146).
One of the many challenges that human beings face is finding meaning out of their tragedies, shortcomings, mistakes, and sins. In the novel Hester Prynne starts out as the most hated person in the town of Boston. None could look out Hester without belittling her. She was branded with the sign of shame and disgrace. No one would talk or come near her, and she was often used as an object of discipline. She simple had no purpose except to be an example of what not to be. Along with a great deal of courage and strength Hester was able to rise above her shame: “The letter was a symbol of her calling” (146). Hester was the Mother Teresa of her time. She helped to poor, the sick, the mourning, and everyone else who need help. She did not want recognition or praise for her actions. She gained respect from the people of her town. A Puritan society is supposed to so good that adultery would probably be one of the biggest crimes the town has encountered, and it is punished with the outmost severity. Earlier in the story a townsman says to Chillingworth when he first got to the town and Hester was on the scaffold, “To find yourself, at length, in a land where iniquity is searched out, and punished in sight of ruler and people, as here in our godly New England” (58). The puritans took pride in punishing Hester for her crime. To them this is the worst crime and it was not the most awful crime in the universe, but it was punished in such way that Hester was to loose her dignity and self-worth; and she did not. She had the power to change something so ugly to the essence of beauty through her good actions.
“‘It was myself! ... It was I, not less then he. Why hast thou not avenged me’” (156).
Once again Hester feels like her action are the roots of the prominent evil going on in the town. When she went to visit Dimmesdale, she was horrified by his state of health. The man was slowly dying from the inside out. Knowing that Chillingworth had a hand in the clergymen’s impairment, she confronted him about it. Hester believed that she had the right to confront Chillingworth because she was the one who sinned against him not Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale had not relations to Roger, and it was Hester who did and she feels like he should punish her. Also she plans to tell his secret because she will not be a bystander while the most evil crime is being committed in the town. Then again Chillingworth was going to change his mind just because Hester told him so. He felt like Arthur Dimmesdale owned him a lot, while when he first started on this searched he told her that he was going to find the person that wronged them both and make him pay. It was not longer about the two of them but just about him. Roger was acting like a stuck up young who thinks that everything is about them. He thinks the Dimmesdale is turning to a fiend but it was his own selfishness. By destroying Dimmesdale’s soul he is also destroying his own soul.
One of the many challenges that human beings face is finding meaning out of their tragedies, shortcomings, mistakes, and sins. In the novel Hester Prynne starts out as the most hated person in the town of Boston. None could look out Hester without belittling her. She was branded with the sign of shame and disgrace. No one would talk or come near her, and she was often used as an object of discipline. She simple had no purpose except to be an example of what not to be. Along with a great deal of courage and strength Hester was able to rise above her shame: “The letter was a symbol of her calling” (146). Hester was the Mother Teresa of her time. She helped to poor, the sick, the mourning, and everyone else who need help. She did not want recognition or praise for her actions. She gained respect from the people of her town. A Puritan society is supposed to so good that adultery would probably be one of the biggest crimes the town has encountered, and it is punished with the outmost severity. Earlier in the story a townsman says to Chillingworth when he first got to the town and Hester was on the scaffold, “To find yourself, at length, in a land where iniquity is searched out, and punished in sight of ruler and people, as here in our godly New England” (58). The puritans took pride in punishing Hester for her crime. To them this is the worst crime and it was not the most awful crime in the universe, but it was punished in such way that Hester was to loose her dignity and self-worth; and she did not. She had the power to change something so ugly to the essence of beauty through her good actions.
“‘It was myself! ... It was I, not less then he. Why hast thou not avenged me’” (156).
Once again Hester feels like her action are the roots of the prominent evil going on in the town. When she went to visit Dimmesdale, she was horrified by his state of health. The man was slowly dying from the inside out. Knowing that Chillingworth had a hand in the clergymen’s impairment, she confronted him about it. Hester believed that she had the right to confront Chillingworth because she was the one who sinned against him not Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale had not relations to Roger, and it was Hester who did and she feels like he should punish her. Also she plans to tell his secret because she will not be a bystander while the most evil crime is being committed in the town. Then again Chillingworth was going to change his mind just because Hester told him so. He felt like Arthur Dimmesdale owned him a lot, while when he first started on this searched he told her that he was going to find the person that wronged them both and make him pay. It was not longer about the two of them but just about him. Roger was acting like a stuck up young who thinks that everything is about them. He thinks the Dimmesdale is turning to a fiend but it was his own selfishness. By destroying Dimmesdale’s soul he is also destroying his own soul.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
“It was to this latter class of men that Mr. Dimmesdale, by many trait of character, naturally belonged. To the high mountain-peaks of faith and sanctity he would have climbed… whatever it might it might be, of crime or anguish, beneath which it was his doom to totter. It kept him down, on a level with the lowest; him, the man with eternal attributes” (Hawthorn 129).
Beside his crime, Dimmesdale was someone destined for greatness. All his natural traits are those of someone who would be a good priest and the people of Boston were well aware of that. The relationship between Dimmesdale and people was of that of two lovers. Has much the people loved him, Dimmesdale loved them right back. He would not want to do anything to hurt them. Why would he want to hurt people who “fancied him the mouthpiece of Heaven’s messages of wisdom, and rebuke, and love. In their eyes, the very ground on which he trod was sanctified” (130). If these people found out the Dimmesdale had committed one of the greatest sins it would probable hurt them so much that it might even kill them. The love that Dimmesdale felt for the people could be compared to our understanding of God’s love. God love us so much that he is in agony when we sin and turn away from him. To find out the person you revered the most was not perfect could send chock wave throughout the colony, especially in a theocracy. Priests and Dimmesdale in particularly was the closest they will ever be to God on earth. If this happened in today’s society it would be shocking but Dimmesdale could have a chance to influence many people besides his sin some would say he is only human to justify his shortcomings. Today the Christian church offers redemption but they did not in the Puritan theocracies.
“If the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart” (134-135).
When reader go first dive into Dimmesdale’s character, their first impression is that he is a coward and a big hypocrite. The readers just assume that there was a disparity between who put forth as being and who he truly is but they soon discover that Dimmesdale is a good and generous person. When comparing Dimmesdale to someone like Chilingworth who looks like a good physician but he is really conspiring with the devil to destroy someone’s soul. Even, the way the public reacts to them gives us insight in who these men are. For Chilingworth some view him as two things a fantastic person and others the Devil in the flesh. He was able to fool some of these people but no all of them, but when it comes to Arthur Dimmesdale he is loved by all across the board. Because people know that he is a great person. Hawthorn’s audience may have thought they knew that Dimmesdale was nothing more than a hypocritical man and Chilingworth the hero who would unmask him. Nonetheless, it was a mistake on the parts of the readers because he feels horrible for his action. He feels so terrible for his actions that he has the scarlet letter branded on his chest right over his heart as a constant reminder that he is a sinner against the town, Hester and Pearl and himself.
Beside his crime, Dimmesdale was someone destined for greatness. All his natural traits are those of someone who would be a good priest and the people of Boston were well aware of that. The relationship between Dimmesdale and people was of that of two lovers. Has much the people loved him, Dimmesdale loved them right back. He would not want to do anything to hurt them. Why would he want to hurt people who “fancied him the mouthpiece of Heaven’s messages of wisdom, and rebuke, and love. In their eyes, the very ground on which he trod was sanctified” (130). If these people found out the Dimmesdale had committed one of the greatest sins it would probable hurt them so much that it might even kill them. The love that Dimmesdale felt for the people could be compared to our understanding of God’s love. God love us so much that he is in agony when we sin and turn away from him. To find out the person you revered the most was not perfect could send chock wave throughout the colony, especially in a theocracy. Priests and Dimmesdale in particularly was the closest they will ever be to God on earth. If this happened in today’s society it would be shocking but Dimmesdale could have a chance to influence many people besides his sin some would say he is only human to justify his shortcomings. Today the Christian church offers redemption but they did not in the Puritan theocracies.
“If the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart” (134-135).
When reader go first dive into Dimmesdale’s character, their first impression is that he is a coward and a big hypocrite. The readers just assume that there was a disparity between who put forth as being and who he truly is but they soon discover that Dimmesdale is a good and generous person. When comparing Dimmesdale to someone like Chilingworth who looks like a good physician but he is really conspiring with the devil to destroy someone’s soul. Even, the way the public reacts to them gives us insight in who these men are. For Chilingworth some view him as two things a fantastic person and others the Devil in the flesh. He was able to fool some of these people but no all of them, but when it comes to Arthur Dimmesdale he is loved by all across the board. Because people know that he is a great person. Hawthorn’s audience may have thought they knew that Dimmesdale was nothing more than a hypocritical man and Chilingworth the hero who would unmask him. Nonetheless, it was a mistake on the parts of the readers because he feels horrible for his action. He feels so terrible for his actions that he has the scarlet letter branded on his chest right over his heart as a constant reminder that he is a sinner against the town, Hester and Pearl and himself.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
“Come away mother! Come away, or yonder old Black Man will catch you! He hath got the hold of the minister already… he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl” (Hawthorn 122).
Even if a lot of people think ill of Pearl. One must wonder if she is not a gift from God. From just looking at the minister and Chillingworth he was able to see that Chillingworth was a diabolical man. She knew that he had taking over the minister and might even come for her mother. It is peculiar that the small child was able to uncover Chillingworth’s plans so easily but reverend was not able to see it coming for himself. Ever since Chillingworth has been working with the clergymen, his health started deteriorating. Chillingworth came to do one thing in the town of Boston and it was the devil’s work. He embodies the devil spiritual and physically but also as a supreme judge or god. Because what he really did was look at Dimesdale sin and punished him as he best see fit. Chillingworth came and did exactly what he going to do, and was avenge it lost.
“ Representing the Scriptural story of David and Bathsheba” (115).
The depiction of Nathan the Prophet denouncing David adulterous affair with Bathsheba goes well with this story. Because David who was king and well reverend and respected had an affair with a beautiful married women. To making sure that her husband was not going to come back he puts him at the front line of battle so he could easily be killed. Nonetheless, David paid his dues because he lost his the child he had wit Bathsheba. What does this say about Dimmesdale he is going to loose is child or is he going to pay a high price for his action? The reader could infer for now that that he might pay this price with his own soul that Chilingworth is planning on destroying. Nonetheless in the Bible David was a good and prosperous king. He did a lot for the advancement of his people and is now known as one of the great kings of Israel.
Even if a lot of people think ill of Pearl. One must wonder if she is not a gift from God. From just looking at the minister and Chillingworth he was able to see that Chillingworth was a diabolical man. She knew that he had taking over the minister and might even come for her mother. It is peculiar that the small child was able to uncover Chillingworth’s plans so easily but reverend was not able to see it coming for himself. Ever since Chillingworth has been working with the clergymen, his health started deteriorating. Chillingworth came to do one thing in the town of Boston and it was the devil’s work. He embodies the devil spiritual and physically but also as a supreme judge or god. Because what he really did was look at Dimesdale sin and punished him as he best see fit. Chillingworth came and did exactly what he going to do, and was avenge it lost.
“ Representing the Scriptural story of David and Bathsheba” (115).
The depiction of Nathan the Prophet denouncing David adulterous affair with Bathsheba goes well with this story. Because David who was king and well reverend and respected had an affair with a beautiful married women. To making sure that her husband was not going to come back he puts him at the front line of battle so he could easily be killed. Nonetheless, David paid his dues because he lost his the child he had wit Bathsheba. What does this say about Dimmesdale he is going to loose is child or is he going to pay a high price for his action? The reader could infer for now that that he might pay this price with his own soul that Chilingworth is planning on destroying. Nonetheless in the Bible David was a good and prosperous king. He did a lot for the advancement of his people and is now known as one of the great kings of Israel.
Monday, February 1, 2010
“ God gave me the child… She is my happiness!- she is my torture, non the less… Ye shall not take her! I will die first” (Hawthorn 103).
After she has lost everything in her life Hester has only one thing to hold on to, and it is her daughter Pearl. Pearl is the greatest treasure that Hester has ever received in her life and she would let no one separate them. When someone is in complete isolation the smallest things have a great deal of meaning to them and Pearl is Hester’s life line. Pearl is like an escape for her mother. Hester takes care of her and centers her life around Pearl and if the reverends were to take Pearl away from Hester she would have nothing to live for. The amount of shame Hester feels is equivalent to how much she loves her daughter. In a town where she is constantly feeling constantly reminded of her actions, it is easy for her to turn around it around into loving her daughter. In her life Hester has two things to remind her of her crime. One is towns’ people and the other her daughter. The people of Boston reject Hester and make her feel worthless, while her daughter loves and value her mother. If they were to take Pearl away from her, she will no longer be dependent of her Hester and probably will not values her as much. After, a few years in the care of the Puritans she will reject the very person who loved her because of her sin. To Hester that itself would be death.
“ The young minister, on ceasing to speak, had withdrawn a few steps from the group, and stood with his face partially concealed… while the shadow of his figure… was tremulous with vehemence of his appeal” (105).
It is evident to the readers that Reverend Dimmesdale felt a great spur of agony, when Hester turn to him for help when the other reverend wanted to take her child away. When the argument ended, he feels ashamed of his cowardice and hid behind a curtain. It must kill him to see the amount of courage it takes for Hester to get through one simple day as an outcast; while he is still living a normal life of as someone who is constantly revered for his good judgment and righteousness. While there is a great disparity between who comes of as being and who he truly is. Dimmesdale is stuck in the whole situation because if the punishment was not so great maybe he would have had confess. He want to be strong and do what is right but who wants to stand on a scaffold and watch as people who once liked you turn against you. Nonetheless, he does not understand that the only was he could be freed from all the anguish he feels is through confession and punishment. For one he will not longer be a hypocrite. Another problem Dimmesdale has is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. After, arguing Hester’s case he goes in corner and becomes overwhelmed by the situation, even when he was speaking to her on the scaffold he displays a lot of intense emotion that some would read as nothing but for someone as dexterous as Chillingworth that raise some red flags: “ You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness” (105). Dimmesdale need to control his emotion around his new found friend because Chillingworth is seeking revenge and it appears that a friendship would not come in his way.
After she has lost everything in her life Hester has only one thing to hold on to, and it is her daughter Pearl. Pearl is the greatest treasure that Hester has ever received in her life and she would let no one separate them. When someone is in complete isolation the smallest things have a great deal of meaning to them and Pearl is Hester’s life line. Pearl is like an escape for her mother. Hester takes care of her and centers her life around Pearl and if the reverends were to take Pearl away from Hester she would have nothing to live for. The amount of shame Hester feels is equivalent to how much she loves her daughter. In a town where she is constantly feeling constantly reminded of her actions, it is easy for her to turn around it around into loving her daughter. In her life Hester has two things to remind her of her crime. One is towns’ people and the other her daughter. The people of Boston reject Hester and make her feel worthless, while her daughter loves and value her mother. If they were to take Pearl away from her, she will no longer be dependent of her Hester and probably will not values her as much. After, a few years in the care of the Puritans she will reject the very person who loved her because of her sin. To Hester that itself would be death.
“ The young minister, on ceasing to speak, had withdrawn a few steps from the group, and stood with his face partially concealed… while the shadow of his figure… was tremulous with vehemence of his appeal” (105).
It is evident to the readers that Reverend Dimmesdale felt a great spur of agony, when Hester turn to him for help when the other reverend wanted to take her child away. When the argument ended, he feels ashamed of his cowardice and hid behind a curtain. It must kill him to see the amount of courage it takes for Hester to get through one simple day as an outcast; while he is still living a normal life of as someone who is constantly revered for his good judgment and righteousness. While there is a great disparity between who comes of as being and who he truly is. Dimmesdale is stuck in the whole situation because if the punishment was not so great maybe he would have had confess. He want to be strong and do what is right but who wants to stand on a scaffold and watch as people who once liked you turn against you. Nonetheless, he does not understand that the only was he could be freed from all the anguish he feels is through confession and punishment. For one he will not longer be a hypocrite. Another problem Dimmesdale has is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. After, arguing Hester’s case he goes in corner and becomes overwhelmed by the situation, even when he was speaking to her on the scaffold he displays a lot of intense emotion that some would read as nothing but for someone as dexterous as Chillingworth that raise some red flags: “ You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness” (105). Dimmesdale need to control his emotion around his new found friend because Chillingworth is seeking revenge and it appears that a friendship would not come in his way.
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