Skip to main content

Which character is most responsible for Dimmesdale's suffering?

I would argue that the character most responsible for the Reverend Dimmesdale's suffering is Dimmesdale, himself.  He whips himself with a scourge, fasts, keeps late-night vigils, and wrestles with his conscience again and again throughout the novel, but he never does the one thing that will end his suffering until the book's conclusion: confess that he is Hester's co-sinner.  He sort ofconfesses to his congregation, saying that he is "utterly a pollution and a...

I would argue that the character most responsible for the Reverend Dimmesdale's suffering is Dimmesdale, himself.  He whips himself with a scourge, fasts, keeps late-night vigils, and wrestles with his conscience again and again throughout the novel, but he never does the one thing that will end his suffering until the book's conclusion: confess that he is Hester's co-sinner.  He sort of confesses to his congregation, saying that he is "utterly a pollution and a lie," but these terms are so veiled that his auditors interpret them only as a sign of his humility.  He never says explicitly that he is Pearl's father.  Then, standing on the scaffold at night, holding hands with Hester and Dimmesdale, their daughter asks him if he will stand with them and hold her hand during the day in front of the town.  He says that he will not; it is thus clear that he does not ultimately want anyone to know about his sin, and it is this hiding that causes him such anguish.  Dimmesdale could confess but chooses not to for over seven years.  If he didn't have such a guilty conscience, Chillingworth would not be able to torture him with it. The minister is responsible for his own suffering.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more