Arthur Dimmesdale's Internal Conflict In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
In, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Arthur Dimmesdale internal conflict is caused by his tendency to conform to the ways of the puritan church and actions of Hester.
Arthur Dimmesdale continues to follow the strict rules and regulations of the Puritan church even after his great sin. Dimmesdale allowed himself to be pushed around by these rules and doesn’t do what he truly believes in. During this time the Puritans’ way of life was incredibly strict and restricting towards its citizens. Reverend Dimmesdale is “in no state would he have been what is called a man of liberal views; it would always be essential to his peace to feel the pressure of a faith”(Hawthorne 69). By everyone else in the village, Dimmesdale is known to be a strictly pure person; someone who would never be thought as a sinner. Dimmesdale is not ready to lose this identity of himself even after he has sinned with Hester Prynne, because he doesn’t want to be in control of his own life. Life for Arthur Dimmesdale is simple and easy under strict rules and regulation; he doesn’t need to make any decisions for himself. Even his position of power, the church tells him exactly what to say and do.Arthur Dimmesdale is not a …show more content…
In my opinion, Dimmesdale is the most realistic person in this novel because of the way he tends to conform to everyone else. Dimmesdale struggles to have the courage to make his own decisions and go against everything he has ever loved. Through the progression of Dimmesdale, we can see that Hawthorne believes that people who are not brave enough to have their own ideas will be the first the fail, or in Dimmesdale’s case die. Hawthorne teaches through Dimmesdale, to be brave and have the courage to take charge of your own life. Make your own decisions rather than follow anyone else. This way of living will lead to the most amount of
Arthur Dimmesdale continues to follow the strict rules and regulations of the Puritan church even after his great sin. Dimmesdale allowed himself to be pushed around by these rules and doesn’t do what he truly believes in. During this time the Puritans’ way of life was incredibly strict and restricting towards its citizens. Reverend Dimmesdale is “in no state would he have been what is called a man of liberal views; it would always be essential to his peace to feel the pressure of a faith”(Hawthorne 69). By everyone else in the village, Dimmesdale is known to be a strictly pure person; someone who would never be thought as a sinner. Dimmesdale is not ready to lose this identity of himself even after he has sinned with Hester Prynne, because he doesn’t want to be in control of his own life. Life for Arthur Dimmesdale is simple and easy under strict rules and regulation; he doesn’t need to make any decisions for himself. Even his position of power, the church tells him exactly what to say and do.Arthur Dimmesdale is not a …show more content…
In my opinion, Dimmesdale is the most realistic person in this novel because of the way he tends to conform to everyone else. Dimmesdale struggles to have the courage to make his own decisions and go against everything he has ever loved. Through the progression of Dimmesdale, we can see that Hawthorne believes that people who are not brave enough to have their own ideas will be the first the fail, or in Dimmesdale’s case die. Hawthorne teaches through Dimmesdale, to be brave and have the courage to take charge of your own life. Make your own decisions rather than follow anyone else. This way of living will lead to the most amount of