Preview

Scarlet Letter Guiltiest Quotes

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
501 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Scarlet Letter Guiltiest Quotes
One of the main considerations while reading The Scarlet Letter, is who seems to be the guiltiest character. The three prime targets are Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth. While all of them have questionable morality and have committed "sin", Dimmesdale, the puritan minister, is the guiltiest character. He initiates a physical relationship with Hester, knowing she is married, he fails at the fatherly responsibility of taking care of his daughter, Pearl, and he selfishly cares more about himself than his secret family.
>Dimmesdale does not think about the consequences of having a relationship with Hester. He understands what would happen to her, and himself, in their strict society if discovered. Being an important role model of the town, he should have controlled himself. Their relationship resulted in the birth of Hester’s daughter, Pearl. After the townspeople find out that Hester is pregnant by
…show more content…

>After his relationship with Hester, Dimmesdale tortures himself both mentally and physically because he feels that he has sinned against God. By burning the A into his chest, he is apologizing to his idea of God for his actions. However, he never once asks Hester or Pearl for forgiveness. Being a bastard child, Pearl's childhood is ruined, yet he never acts as a father to Pearl or even offers to help Hester financially. He cares more about saving his own skin and making sure he is good with God than he does about his child's well-being.
>Dimmesdale is a complete hypocrite. He preaches about resisting sin and temptation, while he can’t even do that himself. He is supposed to be a Puritan Society example, but follows a completely different lifestyle from what he preaches. He should have confessed his sin at the scaffold with Hester right from the start. Although it would still have been shameful, he could have, like Hester, redeemed himself in the eyes of the townspeople. Instead, he confesses everything seven years later, and


You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    After all, even though each character can be seen as a symbol, all of them have a negative understanding about them. Hester, having the scarlet letter, is publically shamed and is out casted near the forest, only to be ridiculed every time she goes into town. Pearl is seen as possessing witch like powers, and is considered a devil child. Dimmesdale is full of sorrow and agony, as keeping his sin inside him hurts him a lot. Chillingworth is full of hate towards both Hester and Dimmesdale, and is psychologically torturing Dimmesdale because of it.…

    • 95 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Person Vs. Society – Dimmesdale fears that only the worst will happen if the town finds out that he is the father of Pearl and the companion of Hester. This is also ironic because the scarlet A has done the exact opposite for Hester. She has become a much appreciated citizen of the society[situational].…

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    He is also the person who damns her because she wouldn't say who her lover was when really it was him. Thats when the secret guilt inside of Dimmesdale started. It got so bad to where he started to scourge himself with wips. He eventually becomes very ill because of this overwhelming guilt that he has and breaks down to Hester and tells her that he can’t go one the way he is. Eventually Dimmesdale reveals to everyone the truth about him and Hester and their secret affair. 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 process frees him to come to peace with what he did and accept his guilt and…

    • 1375 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In chapters seven and eight, Mr. Dimmesdale is characterized as a sympathetic and understanding man. Mr. Dimmesdale is first introduced in chapter eight when he walks in to the mansion along with Mr. Wilson, Mr. Chillingworth, and Mr.Bellingworth to decide whether Hester is allowed to keep Pearl. Mr. Dimmesdale is sympathetic because he was the only one who stood up for Hester and gave reasons as to why she should keep her child. He says,” God gave her the child, and gave her, too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirements,-both seemingly so peculiar,-which no other mortal being can possess. And, moreover, is there not a quality of awful sacredness in the relation between this mother and this child?”(P.86) This quote is Mr. Dimmesdale saying that God gave Hester the child for her to learn a lesson and that it would be wrong for them to take it from her because it’s God’s intentions. Mr. Dimmesdale is also understanding and this can be seen when Hester begs him to plead for her. She says,” Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than theses men can. I will not lose the child! Speak for me!”(P.86) This is Hester characterizing Dimmesdale as an understanding man because he knows her feelings and her true self better than anyone else and can speak for her as a pastor. It further shows that Dimmesdale is understanding when Master Bellingham and Mr. Wilson agree with his reasons when they say,” Indeed hath he, and hath adduced such arguments, that we will even leave the matter as it now stands; so long, at least, as there shall be no further scandal in the woman.”(P.87) Master Bellingham and Mr. Wilson allow Hester to keep the child from Mr. Dimmesdale’s points of reasoning. Because he is so understanding and sympathetic, Hester got to keep Pearl.…

    • 333 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Authur Dimmesdale, a puritan reverend in Boston, fell in love with Hester Prynne, a young woman married to Roger Chillingworth. His inability to control his feelings led to an adulterous relationship between himself and Hester, resulting in the birth of Pearl. Both Hester and Authur lived guiltily, and Dimmesdale punished himself for the sin he committed. When Chillingworth arrived in America and realized his wife’s affair, he sought to discover Pearl’s father and take vengeance. Since Dimmesdale felt ill, Chillingworth utilized this opportunity to disguise himself as Dimmesdale’s physician since he has knowledge about medicine. Suspecting Dimmesdale as the father of Pearl, Chillingworth, with a maleficent personality, exploited Dimmesdale and tortured him psychologically. Critics argue about who committed the greater sin since Hester and Dimmesdale committed adultery while Chillingworth took revenge and tortured Dimmesdale.…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christianed infants” (97). This is why the townspeople see her as evil and ungodly. Since Hester holds the scarlet letter, the townspeople know Pearl isn’t Chillingworth's daughter which means Hester committed adultery. During this time period, religion was a huge part of everyone's lives so committing sin was seen as blasphemous. What the townspeople didn’t know is that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father. This wasn't revealed until the end of the book.…

    • 443 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Scarlet Letter Quotes

    • 3184 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Dimmsdale had said this to protect Hester and Pearl (so it seems) because he has some feelings towards them, either it was because he is a priest and is doing it in the favor of judgment or because he feels pity. Nonetheless, Hester was able to keep little Pearl because Mr. Dimmsdale stated that it is a reminder of the scarlet A on Hester’s breast and because Hester loves little Pearl so much because it’s the only thing that makes her happy. Hence the name “pearl” a precious dainty object, and Pearl is Hester’s precious gem in the cruel Puritain society.…

    • 3184 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Dimmesdale can be classified as a tragic hero, but also has qualities that do not fit. His tragic flaw is actually an action that occurred in the past, and resulted in Hester Prynne's pregnancy, rather than something he was born with or into. Arthur Dimmesdale accepts death, even though with honor since he was able to concede to his relationship with Hester and Pearl. His greatness and legend left with the Puritan society is proven with the quote, “After exhausting life in his efforts for mankind’s spiritual good, he had made the manner of his death a parable, in order to impress on his admirers the mighty and mournful lesson, that, in the view of Infinite Purity, we are sinners all alike” (Hawthorne 243). Hester manages to support herself and Pearl, through sewing and still manages to give to and tend to the poor, becoming a "self-ordained a Sister of Mercy" (Hawthorne 150). She even manages to win the grudging respect of the townspeople, because she's full of "helpfulness," and so much "power to do, and power to sympathize" (Hawthorne 150). Hester’s character traits sufficiently describe one that accurately fits Henry Ward Beecher’s quote since she truly does improve the lives of others around her by correctly using her strengths for…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Scarlet Letter

    • 2560 Words
    • 11 Pages

    In chapter 8, Dimmesdale, Mr. Wilson, and Governor Bellingham are visited by Hester and Pearl at the Governor’s mansion. When pearl is asked “who made thee?”, she responds that she was not made, but rather "plucked . . . off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door.". This causes the governor and Mr. Wilson to immediately become horrified and ready to take Pearl from Hester’s custody. As Pearl protests her God given right for Pearls custody, she pleads that Dimmesdale speak for her. Dimmesdale uses religious appeal to convince the governor and Mr. Wilson that God gave Pearl to Hester and it is not their right to take the child away. He says that God gave Pearl to Hester as both “a blessing and a reminder of her sin”, which is the leading argument that convinces Bellingham and Mr. Wilson to leave Pearl in Hester’s custody. Dimmesdale uses a religious allusion in chapter 8 to convince them that they should leave Pearl to Hester’s custody and he is indeed successful in doing so. By Dimmesdale sticking up for Hester so easily and powerfully, it reveals that he has deep feelings for her and he is in some way responsible for he sin.…

    • 2560 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pretending to be somebody else, by acting like them, in order to fit in or be popular is something that most people have done in their lives; however, this has always come back to bite them in the end. Similarly to how Dimmesdale did not show his true feelings and emotions in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, instead of letting people see what he was really feeling. This inner anguish is what made Dimmesdale so sickly and made the town believe he was ill and dying, when he was actually just feeling guilt for not owning up to his sin of adultery with Hester. Therefore, Dimmesdale’s outward conformity to the town’s values and beliefs while withholding his own values and beliefs led to his inevitable death proving that not being who you…

    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Physically, his sin caused him to look like “an emaciated figure, his thin cheek, his white, heavy, pain-wrinkled brow” (149); he had become so physically pathetic from the guilt which tore at him internally. Dimmesdale’s method of repentance was much worse than Hester’s, both emotionally and physically. Emotionally, Dimmesdale was deeply torn over his moral responsibilities to himself and his responsibility to the community, ultimately refusing to confront his sin and redeem himself. Instead, he attempts to justify and convince himself that he is refusing to “display [himself] black and filthy in the view of men...because, thenceforward...no evil of the past be redeemed by better service” (91). Dimmesdale refuses to expose his secret in fear of losing the his role and respect in the Puritan community. He laments the relief that he has seen in “sinful brethren...who at last draw free air, after long stifling with his own polluted breath” (90), as he is both physically and emotionally pained by the stifling of his guilt. However, contradicting his own morals--based in the Puritan religion--and those that vest right action and right thought in Hester, Dimmesdale continues to suppress his guilt in an attempt to maintain his prestigious standing within the…

    • 971 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dimmesdale does not realize the life of hypocrisy he will come to live as a result of his and Hester's sin. More than once he resolved to confess his hypocrisy and take his place beside Hester, but he is too afraid of the shame open confession would bring. In spite of this, Dimmesdale does not confess his sin to the public. This is hypocritical of Dimmesdale because a "true priest" would not hide his sin from his congregation. Also, his sermons revolve around Hester's sin, which just happens to be a sin he also committed. Dimmesdale says he loves Hester but yet he refuses to climb the scaffold with Hester to reveal the truth. He keeps away from Hester and does not associate himself with her. Hester tells Pearl "[Dimmesdale] will be [at the scaffold], child. But he will not greet thee today" meaning that she believes that one day Dimmesdale will finally admit to the public that he is the father to Pearl and the man with whom Hester committed adultery…

    • 605 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although Reverend Dimmesdale feels guilty for his sin, he still helps other people in their journey. For instance, after his encounter with the elderly woman, “he beheld an expression of divine gratitude and ecstasy that seemed like the shine of the celestial city on her face” that was caused because he gave her helpful words (201). This is a healthy impact Dimmesdale had on the society because he made the people he talked with feel better than before. If Dimmesdale had confessed upon the scaffold with Hester, he would not have been able to impact the townspeople, and strengthen the town’s religious roots. He helped to bolster the community’s religious roots by becoming a better preacher. Rallying the town behind his sermons, Dimmesdale had the “street and the market-place absolutely babbled… with applauses of the minister” (227). He became a far better preacher once he funneled his guilt into his sermons because it brought a fiery passion to the speeches.. This in turn, relieved some of Dimmesdale’s guilt by letting him express his sin through religion and faith. As the novel progressed he became a better figure to Hester and Pearl by spending more time with them in the forest. As Pearl spent more time with the minister, she ultimately kissed him on the scaffold, causing“a spell” to be “broken” (234). This was a great part of Dimmesdale’s life; becoming a good figure to Pearl was one of his chief goals. Becoming a better preacher, father and person was a positive impact that his “hidden” sin had on him because he influences the people around…

    • 886 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    He chose to keep the secret and be consumed in guilt for seven years, than man up and tell the truth. When asked to try to get the name of Pearl’s father out of Hester, Dimmesdale begs her by speaking,“I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer! Be not silent from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him; for, believe me, Hester, though he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life”(93). Dimmesdale is such a hypocrite. He is telling her that she should not be standing at the scaffold alone, that her “fellow-sinner” should be as well because it takes two to commit adultery. He is the other part of the adulterous act, and he is telling her not to keep this a secret when he is doing the same. Keeping his secret soon led him to become a bit paranoid. Later in the novel it states, “ And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation, Mr. Dimmesdale was overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at the scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart”(134). Like in the previous quote he is “hiding his guilty heart.”And he does this in the literal way as well, he often holds his hand over his heart. As if by doing so he is protecting himself from people finding out about his…

    • 979 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Their first public encounter is when Dimmesdale speaks on Hester's behalf so she may keep her child, when he does, little Pearl willingly comes to him, takes his hand, and lays her cheek against it. Pearl does not understand that the man who she shows affection towards is her father, but feels an instant connection to the man who is secretly trying to protect her. After this occurrence she does not see Dimmesdale until later in the novel, when the three of the stand on the scaffold. “ ‘Wilt thou stand here with mother and me, tomorrow noontide ?’ Inquired Pearl”, she asks the Minister if he is ready to stand with them in front the entire township, and reveal his true identity. Pearl’s harmless question triggers Dimmesdale's conscience to overcome his fear and come clean. Although Dimmesdale is not yet ready for such a courageous act, he does confront the community on his Election Day sermon. Before Dimmsdale takes his last breaths, Pearl bestows the kiss that she has withheld from him, know her father is finally at peace. Pearl being the offspring of an immense lawbreaker has provided tranquility for the two beings closest to…

    • 1575 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays