Thursday, June 30, 2011

In "The Scarlet Letter," what are all Dimmsdale's sins?

What an interesting question.  Well, first off, he had a relationship with a married woman, engaging in an adulterous relationship.  Even if Chillingworth had in fact been dead, he also had sexual relations outside of wedlock.  He lied to everyone about that relationship.  He denied his own daughter. 

However, the thoughts that Dimmesdale has when he returns to town after meeting Hester in the forest suggest that there is much deeper sin going on.  Dimmesdale is dishonest to all the town about how he feels.  He passes judgement on them and has some desire to corrupt them, all of which he keeps to himself.  Dimmesdale, in all areas of his life, is untrue to himself - which is probably the biggest sin of all.  Here is the quote that expresses this:

Before Mr. Dimmesdale reached home, his inner man gave him other evidences of a revolution in the sphere of thought and feeling. In truth, nothing short of a total change of dynasty and moral code, in that interior kingdom, was adequate to account for the impulses now communicated to the unfortunate and startled minister.

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