“But did your reverence hear of the portent that was seen last night? –a great red letter in the sky, -the letter A, which we interpret to stand for Angel. For, as our good Governor Winthrop was made an angel this past night, it was doubtless held fit that there should be some notice thereof!”…
Arthur Dimmesdale is the pastor of this small puritan town, who has a secret affair with this girl named Hester Prynne. Hester gets pregnant and is publicly shamed in front of everyone in the town. Dimmesdale decides not to come out and tell everyone that he is her lover, by not doing this Dimmesdale causes himself great emotional pain. Most people just inferred that Dimmesdale would never do anything like this and didn't even think to question him. Unlike Ms. Prynne who confronts her guilt and shame early on in the story, Dimmesdale holds onto his guilt secretly until he finally goes through a process of, at first blaming Hester, then realizing that it wasn't all her fault, to having such strong guilt that he starts hurting himself, to doubting that he will ever get better, after which he comes out and shows everyone his scarlet letter, this…
In The Scarlet Letter, a historical fiction novel written in 1850 by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author uses specific rhetorical devices to describe the physical deformities and eccentric behavior of Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth, a representation of human immorality, is a significant figure contributing to Hawthorne’s purpose of conveying the message that revenge not only hurts the intended target, but it also hurts one who attempts to carry it out. Through the use of specific diction, unique syntax, and extensive detail, Hawthorne illustrates the disadvantages of attempting to seek revenge.…
Richard Perle, a political advisor of the 1940s, once said, “Sometimes the things we...do seem objectionable in the eyes of others” (“Brainy Quote” 7). This is true of people and situations we encounter in our everyday lives, and all of us are most likely deemed objectionable more frequently than we realize. Our behaviors can appear undesirable, offensive, or scornful to others, while we may not conceive it ourselves. This is certainly true of the way readers perceive Dimmesdale’s actions to be in The Scarlet Letter, an acclaimed novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The story is a romance involving characters that have been embroidered so intricately…
Nathaniel Hawthrone’s Scarlet Letter is praised as one of the most revolutionary and compelling literary works in modern American history. The narrator’s omniscient, descriptive lingustics enfore the story’s captivating plot as well as invokes insights on the moral fiber of each character. For some, the novel is an inspiration to readers in regard to the powerful protagonist, Hester Prynne, with her feminism and strength in the face of adversity; or by her daughter’s pure spirit, or even the devotion of the minister Dimmesdale to his congregation. As popular and coveted is the complex plot, Hawthorne’s literary talents excel within each paragraph. The story is historical in its characters and what they represent, but is exciting because of its constantly misleading irony. The author uses irony systematically throughout the book to keep the reader guessing, whether verbal irony in Chillingworth’s words, situational irony - Hester and Dimmesdale’s burst of joy before a tradgic ending - or the dramatic irony of Dimmesdale’s secret relationship with Hester. The deceptive techniques used by Hawthorne are what makes this elderly tale so relevant today.…
Sometimes, Dimmesdale seems like a coward. However, all he is trying to do is be an admirable pastor to his people, yet Dimmesdale has his unconfessed sins still burdening him. The reader can understand Dimmesdale’s desolation when Dimmesdale found out who Roger Chillingworth really was. As Hawthorne says in The Scarlet Letter, “ The minister looked at her for an instant, with all that violence of passion, which - intermixed in more shapes than one his higher, purer, softer qualities - was, in fact, the portion of him which the devil claimed, and through which he sought to win the rest.” (Hawthorne 214). In that excerpt of the book, the reader can grasp Dimmesdale’s rage. He feels betrayed by Hester because she did not tell him who Roger Chillingworth really was. Dimmesdale is also very upset that even with all of the torture he has put himself through, that he still does not regret his sin. Hawthorne also adds ,” Of penance, I have had enough! Of penitence, there has been none!” (Hawthorne 212) He feels that he has tortured himself enough, but he feels no guilt for his sins. Even though Dimmesdale knows that telling the people his thoughts are erroneous, he still wants everyone to know. In fact, he feels guilty for not saying anything and letting Hester take the fall for the punishment. Hawthorne includes, “ Else, I should long ago have thrown off these garments of mock holiness, and have…
In this selection, Hawthorne uses irony to convey his point. Dimmesdale, the holiest minister in the eyes of the crowd, has a constant burden in his heart that tortures him. When he confesses his sin to the townspeople, ironically, instead of seeing his evil nature, they mistake it for a humble degradation. This shows the downfall of human beings: their tendency of being misled and incapability of seeing the truth. Even in the most “holiest” human beings, a deep sin is present.…
Throughout the book, The Scarlet Letter it tells the tale of a woman who committed adultery with a man who she falls desperately in love with, a baby is born out of complete and utter sin. A woman who was outcasted by society, and lived a life of torment but what drives us really insane to where every flaw is cast to those around us. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses characterization to reveal Dimmesdale's central flaw, is selfishness. Hawthorne uses characterization to reveal Dimmesdale's central flaw, selfishness. Selfishness is when you think of completely nothing other than yourself, you do not put others before you, the only thing you are worried about is yourself and how the situation affects you. This flaw is the biggest flaw because…
Arthur Dimmesdale was a very important character in The Scarlet Letter. He encountered many problems and resolved them throughout the novel. He changes a lot throughout the novel, physical and mentally. While reading the novel, the reader can relate to Dimmesdale by his actions and feelings. Minister Arthur Dimmesdale explains the moral of the story, and helps the reader understand what the novel is about.…
Nathaniel Hawthorne promotes the idea of socially on brought guilt through the interactions of characters and Puritan beliefs in The Scarlet Letter. He masterfully depicts a newly settled New England and it's strict religious faith, which is still seen in much of New England today. He uses symbolism, irony and to fully bring out the true potential of his story.…
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is set in a gloomy, distressed, religious atmosphere in Boston, Massachusetts with multiple main characters known for the sins they have done. One of those being a man named Arthur Dimmesdale, who is known for being a sinful and hypocritical individual. He is part of the Puritan community who are very judgmental people, which sets up the perfect situation for confrontations. Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates his theme that secrets that are hidden will have its consequences. Dimmesdale is very conflicted with himself and also with the community; he struggles with doing the what is right.…
Arthur Dimmesdale, or better yet, Pearl’s father, is a dynamic character. The minister undergoes an exploration of guilt, love, violence and remorse during the pages of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter. During each scene new information is unveiled to reveal the true characteristics of the Hill’s beloved Reverend.…
Nathaniel Hawthorne in the novel, the scarlet letter, portrays the level of wickedness that lives within humans. Pyle proves this to his audience by his precise and various strategies. Hawthorns dramatic irony both helps build suspense while foreshadowing how blind the Puritans are towards Chillingsworth true character, he foreshadows the pain and suffering Chillingworth will soon unravel upon dimmesdale; he does this through foreshadow, hyperbole and point of view.…
Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays Arthur Dimmesdale, an eminently respected reverend in The Scarlet Letter, as a coward whose actions towards Pearl, Hester, and himself.By refusing to acknowledge Pearl as his daughter, allowing Hester to remain culpable for adultery, and by hiding behind his reputation, the reverend behaves cowardly.…
“The Scarlet Letter” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is based off the early colonial age of New England, where religion played a huge role in shaping society and life. Throughout the book, sin was a constant factor that plays a role in Reverend Dimmesdale’s life. Committing one of the unforgivable sins, adultery, with Hester, he lets his guilt control his life. However, it is better that Dimmesdale doesn’t confess his sin because it leads to Dimmesdale having greater influence over the community, and it helps him understand who he is in the process.…