Guilt In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Dimmesdale knew that Hester was married, but he still had an affair with her. After the sin, he became overwhelmed with grief and no matter how much he tried, he could not tell the town that he had committed adultery with Hester. His guilt drove him to a point where his mind was filled with satanic thoughts. Chillingworth, in his quest for revenge, became the face of the

The presence of guilt has been felt by all human beings. As guilt grows in a

Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne relays the theme of guilt using symbolism that is portrayed in the scarlet letter itself and in the main character’s daughter. The story follows the protagonist, Hester Prynne, who commits adultery with the town minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, producing the child she raises on her own named Pearl. Guilt is a common theme for the duration of the novel which covers all aspects of the shame each character feels. These particular dimensions of shame come specifically from different objects in the novel and what they represent.

Throughout Dimmesdale's life he has suffered because of his sin. There were only a few who knew why he was suffering until the very end of his life. Roger Chillingworth made Dimmesdale's life awful. Hester Prynne was the woman he loved but had to hide his feelings for. Pearl was his daughter who never felt the full love of her father. Dimmesdale hurt himself all

            Dimmesdale's instantaneous response to the sin is to lie.  He stands before Hester and the rest of the town and proceeds to give a moving speech about how it would be in her and the father's best interest for her to reveal the father's name (67).  Though he never actually says that he is not the other parent, he implies it by talking of the father in third person (67).  Such as, "If thou feelest it to be for thy soul's peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I

In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne’s act of adultery with Arthur Dimmesdale (Hawthorne 231) ultimately leads to negative and positive impacts on her life, including being isolated from everyone in town, being mocked and gossiped about, being more mature, and being more compassionate. One of the negative

As the story continues, Hester Prynne continues to be plagued by guilt and embarrassment. Every look from a fellow citizen seems to make the scarlet letter burn on her chest. Throughout all this though, Hester Prynne remains true to herself and becomes stronger because of all her trials. Reverend Dimmesdale on the other hand, becomes weaker and weaker

English classes throughout the United States study various types of literature. One novel in particular that has been and still is interpreted is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. This novel has reason to be such a strong piece of literature throughout history, specifically being that it includes many different themes. One of the messages that is useful and understood in our world today is the subject matter of sin. Today , we take sin less serious than the puritans in The Scarlet Letter; but one sin/mistake can not define who we are.

This ridicule has a trickle down effect on Hester as she too is banished from her own community for committing adultery. The comparison between Hester and Hawthorne defines the external struggle for the reader to fully understand the effect of opinions from society on them Although reluctant to allow Hester to leave prison, the members of the town suggest that her punishment be to wear a scarlet red letter A on her bosom, thereby allowing all to know of her crime. The scarlet letter “ was red-hot with infernal fire, ” (Hawthorne 81) and defined the state she was currently in, that being eternal hell. Though she was forced to marry an older man at a young age, her rebellion to have an affair is not seen as an internal struggle that she overcame; rather, it is merely seen as a woman who sinned, a woman who shall therefore endure the punishment for the sin, rather than a woman who was never given a say in what she wanted with her life. Time and again, Hester Prynne is seen defying society by allowing herself to stand out from societal norm just as the roses “with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner“ (Hawthorne) did. Instead, she returns to the community and is observed aiding those in need, all with seven year old Pearl by her side.

Hester was isolated from the community because of her sin. All of this negativity she was receiving from the community did not affect her, she held her head high. Dimmesdale never got the opportunity to hold his head high and embrace a scarlet letter. Although, Dimmesdale may have been struggling in his private life, at church, he preached one of his most powerful sermons. Hesters “A” on her bosom now meant “Able” because she was able to continue with her life, even after committing such a sin.

Within the novel Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the theme of guilt destroying a person's body and soul is portrayed. First off, we can see this theme represented in the character, Arthur Dimmesdale. One example of how Arthur is destroyed by guilt is in his physical suffering. When describing Arthur Dimmesdale, Hawthorne states, “Each Sunday he was pale and thinner, his voice weaker” (36). Arthur even refuses Chillingworth’s medicine at first saying, “But I need no medicine!”

This concealed sin is the center of his tormented conscience. The pressures on him from society are greater than those on Hester because he is a man in high standing, expected to represent the epitome of the Puritanical ideals. It is ironic that Dimmesdale, who is supposed to be absolutely pure and urges congregation to confess and openly repent their sins, is incapable of doing so himself. He knows the hypocrisy of his actions but cannot bring himself to admit his deed publicly. In resentment of this he punishes himself physically - he is "often observed to put his hand over his heart, with indicative of pain" (ch 9). Dimmesdale's resistance to be true to himself gradually destroys his well being as well as Hester's, and although he eventually declares the truth, his resistance ends him.

Though Reverend Dimmesdale is to cowardly to reveal his sin, of secretly fathering Pearl, this is not to say that he does not feel the remorse of it. On the contrary, Dimmesdale is ridden with guilt. He cannot bring himself to reveal his actions, so instead he tortures himself in secret. Dimmesdale fasts till he almost faints, and whips himself till he bleeds. He is also haunted by Hester’s former Husband, Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth exacts revenge upon Dimmesdale, for impregnating his wife, by constantly trying to extract the truth from him. All of Dimmesdale’s pain, guilt, and shame are embodied in a brand on his chest that resembles the scarlet letter. The brand blazes causing Dimmesdale pain, and he believes it is an affliction sent by God. Throughout the book it is clear that Dimmesdale is feeling the retribution of his sin.

Guilt, shame, and penitence are just a few of the emotions that are often associated with a great act of sin. Mr. Arthur Dimmesdale, a highly respected minister of a 17th century Puritan community, is true example of this as he was somehow affected by all of these emotions after committing adultery. Due to the seven years of torturous internal struggle that finally resulted in his untimely death, Mr. Dimmesdale is the character who suffered the most throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Mr. Dimmesdale’s ever present guilt and boundless penance cause him an ongoing mental struggle of remorse and his conscience as well as deep physical pain from deprivation and self inflicted wounds. The external influence of the members of

Finally, accepting his guilt, Dimmesdale admits to his sins and confesses to the townspeople. Unfortunately, after years of torment and torture, he cannot endure a punishment as Hester did. While the passions of his Id were too strong for Hester and him to overcome, the demands of his superego were even more difficult. The pressure of society and the church prevented him from expressing his true feeling for years, until ultimately his ego released