Dimmesdale Character Analysis
Jared Jones
Mrs. McCool
2/15/12
American Lit
Dimmesdale Character Analysis Dimmesdale is one of the most interesting characters in The Scarlet Letter. This is because he demonstrates in this story that he is at times a coward, and that he is strong, yet not courageous. Dimmesdale is develops as a character drastically throughout the story. Changes in his character are frequent throughout the book. Throughout the whole story, Dimmesdale shows himself as a very diverse and intriguing character.
Dimmesdale proves that he is a coward many times in The Scarlet Letter. He does this by not confessing his sin. Dimmesdale had many opportunities to admit his sin and get the guilt off his chest, such as when he was making his speech in front of an audience (45). He tried to tell the truth but more lies just came out. The second opportunity that Dimmesdale had to confess his sin was when he was living with Chillingworth, and Chillingworth told Dimmesdale to confess what was troubling him and again, Dimmesdale refused to confess (63). Finally, the third time that Dimmesdale had a great opportunity to confess himself was at the end of the story during the festival on the scaffold (143). Standing there with Hester and Pearl, Dimmesdale was still too much of a coward to admit his sin and release the anguish from his burning chest. Another way in which Dimmesdale showed that he was a coward is by not confronting Chillingworth. Chillingworth was plotting revenge on Dimmesdale for an extremely long time. In fact, Chillingworth’s life was devoted to getting revenge on Dimmesdale. Being told by Hester, Dimmesdale still did not confront Chillingworth. Throughout the book, Dimmesdale was an extreme coward.
Dimmesdale’s actions in this story were not courageous, but strong in a couple of ways. For roughly seven years, this man had to live with extreme guilt, which is a long time. Dimmesdale had many reasons to feel guilty. First of all he let Hester be labeled an adulteress,
Mrs. McCool
2/15/12
American Lit
Dimmesdale Character Analysis Dimmesdale is one of the most interesting characters in The Scarlet Letter. This is because he demonstrates in this story that he is at times a coward, and that he is strong, yet not courageous. Dimmesdale is develops as a character drastically throughout the story. Changes in his character are frequent throughout the book. Throughout the whole story, Dimmesdale shows himself as a very diverse and intriguing character.
Dimmesdale proves that he is a coward many times in The Scarlet Letter. He does this by not confessing his sin. Dimmesdale had many opportunities to admit his sin and get the guilt off his chest, such as when he was making his speech in front of an audience (45). He tried to tell the truth but more lies just came out. The second opportunity that Dimmesdale had to confess his sin was when he was living with Chillingworth, and Chillingworth told Dimmesdale to confess what was troubling him and again, Dimmesdale refused to confess (63). Finally, the third time that Dimmesdale had a great opportunity to confess himself was at the end of the story during the festival on the scaffold (143). Standing there with Hester and Pearl, Dimmesdale was still too much of a coward to admit his sin and release the anguish from his burning chest. Another way in which Dimmesdale showed that he was a coward is by not confronting Chillingworth. Chillingworth was plotting revenge on Dimmesdale for an extremely long time. In fact, Chillingworth’s life was devoted to getting revenge on Dimmesdale. Being told by Hester, Dimmesdale still did not confront Chillingworth. Throughout the book, Dimmesdale was an extreme coward.
Dimmesdale’s actions in this story were not courageous, but strong in a couple of ways. For roughly seven years, this man had to live with extreme guilt, which is a long time. Dimmesdale had many reasons to feel guilty. First of all he let Hester be labeled an adulteress,