The Scarlet Letter :: essays research papers

A persons morals and beliefs are the structure for which their life is built upon. Once you assume defied these morals there is no greater punishment than having to live indoors angioten nefariousness-converting enzymeself. The cherry-red Letter, a Nineteenth Century novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, raises the question of what is worsened is worse A sin that has been allowed out in the open, or one that has been enshrouded. Hawthorne chooses a character, Arthur Dimmsdale, to demonstrate that.Dimmsdale, an ordained minister, is a man that is revered within his Puritan society for not only his quiet and effective sermons, provided also for his kind hearted ways.A young clergyman coming straight from a university, Dimmsdale brought with him new ideas about religion as well as a renewed passion for the sermons which he gave. The Reverend is described as a person of very striking aspect, with a white, lofty, and intending brow, large, brown, melancholy eyes, and a mouth which, unless when he forcibly compressed it, was apt to be tremulous, expressing both nervous susceptibility and vastpower of self restraint.. Though as the chapters go on it becomes apparent that Dimmsdale is in fact not quite the man that he had been perceived as.Though serious-minded and honest, Dimmsdale did not have the restraint as thought. He in fact, was the aim of Hester Prynnes illegitimate daughter Pearl. Rather than having to face the public damnation as well as the detriment to his place within society, Dimmsdale choose to conceal his own guilt, allowing Hester to take the shame and scrutiny alone. Though it may have the appearance _or_ semblance that Dimmsdale is cold hearted, in fact the opposite is true. While it is true that Dimmsdale refused to publicly announce his sin, withholding it within himself turned out to be untold more punishment than any other could have given. This carnal sin, what is more the concealment of it, in fact is what ultimately becomes this mans de mise. A once vibrant man was literally eaten alive by the guilt for which he carried within his heart. The Reverands vibrant eyes became dark, his rosy cheeks pale and hallow. His once young organic structure now emaciated as if he was trying to purge the sin from within it. Yet if that was still not enough, Dimmsdale walked with a hand covert his heart. His own token reminder that though he himself is no prolonged an esteemed preacher of God, but simply a man reenforcement within a life of sin.