Dimmesdale s humble morality
Dimmesdale s humble moralityDimmesdale’s Humble Mortality--Life is hard, but accepting that fact makes it easier. In this twisted story of deception and adultery set in the Puritan era, Hawthorne introduces Dimmesdale as a weak and cowardly man who refuses to take responsibility for his actions. By the end of the novel he has been transformed into a person who accepts his sins and the consequences, before it is too late; ultimately proving that love surpasses all boundaries, and that one can only be human. At the beginning of the novel, Dimmesdale has established quite a reputation for himself. In discussing individual members of the magistrate, the towns people describe Dimmesdale as a "God fearing" gentleman, "but merciful overmuch (49)." Due to his actions, all of the people respect and look up to the Reverend. Throughout the story, Dimmesdale desperately tries to confess his sin, by envying Hester, for her courage, and he states, "Happy are you Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! (188)." Even at the end of the novel, when finally attempting to confess, people are compelled by his final sermon, raving that "never had a man spoken in so wise, so high, and so holy a spirit, as he that spake this day (p.243)." These facts proved that he was a very loved and influential man in the small town. Hawthorne later portrays him as somewhat of a hypocrite. His outward appearance deceives the villagers, appearing to be a completely holy man. However, before the action of the novel begins, he falls into sin, by committing adultery with Hester Pryne. His cowardly outlook on his sins only causes his troubles to stack up. Abandoning Hester and her illegitimate daughter Pearl, also latched onto his problems, forcing Hester to go and find work around town, an obviously hard task for a single parent. He also abandons them emotionally and physically, and was rarely there when Hester and Pearl needed him. Innocent little Pearl wonders why Dimmesdale is so afraid of public displays of affection. On the contrary, when they are alone, he takes notice of Hester and Pearl. Pearl later asks him, “’Wilt thou stand here with Mother and me, tomorrow noontide?' (p.149),” the answer to which could not be understood by Pearl herself. If Dimmesdale were not such a highly reputable and religious man, then he would not care about his
crime. His morals and ethics however, cause him to inflict torment on himself, including long periods of fasting, and also spending seemingly infinite hours of staring at himself in the mirror. He could also be caught numerous times in his closet, whipping himself and burning the letter “A" on his chest. Sometimes he could be found at the scaffold in the wee hours of the morning, practicing how he was planning to confess the next day, all the while deluding himself into...
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