Write a short note on the character of Dimmesdale.
The Scarlet Letter is a notable literary work by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Scarlet Letter.
Answer
Write a short note on the character of Dimmesdale. [2017] ✪✪✪
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) presents Arthur Dimmesdale in “The Scarlet Letter” (1850) as a tragic Puritan minister torn between faith and passion. He is Hester Prynne’s secret lover who hides his sin. His inner guilt slowly destroys his body, mind, and soul.
A Revered Minister With A Weak Heart: Dimmesdale is a respected preacher in Boston. People see him as pure and holy. But deep inside, he carries the heavy guilt of adultery. He fails to confess his sin openly. His guilt makes him weak and sick. He grows pale and thin, and his heart aches both physically and spiritually. He often puts his hand over his heart, which symbolizes his hidden pain. His silence turns his goodness into suffering, and he becomes a victim of his own moral weakness.
A Victim of Inner Conflict: Dimmesdale’s life is full of struggle between truth and fear. He wants to confess but lacks the courage to face society. His words,
“Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly!”,
It shows his inner torment. He tries to purify himself by fasting, praying, and whipping his own body. But these acts cannot free him from guilt. His hypocrisy grows when people call him a saint. His secret sin eats away at his peace and shows the cruelty of hidden guilt.
Thus, Dimmesdale is a tragic figure destroyed by guilt but redeemed by truth. His story shows that confession and honesty bring salvation. Their hypocrisy and fear lead only to pain.