Punishment and Feelings of Remorse in The Scarlet Letter...

Punishment and Feelings of Remorse in The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne paints a picture of two equally guilty sinners, Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale, and shows how both characters deal with their different forms of punishment and feelings of remorse for what they have done. Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale are both guilty of adultery, but have altered ways of performing penance for their actions. While Hester must pay for her sins under the watchful eye of the world around her, Reverend Dimmesdale must endure the heavy weight of his guilt in secret. It may seem easier for Reverend Dimmesdale to live his daily life since he is not surrounded by people who shun†¦show more content†¦At this point, it is unknown to the reader that the fellow-sufferer Reverend Dimmesdale refers to is himself. The Reverend says all this to make sure that no one realizes that he is a sinner as well. The Reverend is also sp eaking of the pain that he himself feels in his heart. As the story continues, Hester Prynne continues to be plagued by guilt and embarrassment. Every look from a fellow citizen seems to make the scarlet letter burn on her chest. Throughout all this though, Hester Prynne remains true to herself and becomes stronger because of all her trials. Reverend Dimmesdale on the other hand, becomes weaker and weaker because of the dark secret he keeps hidden in what his parishioners think to be a miraculous white soul. Day after day his thoughts are taken over by his feelings of guilt and hypocrisy. He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was. I, your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie (Hawthorne 142). At this point it may seem that the Reverend might have an easier life if he, like Hester Prynne, bore a scarlet letter for all to see. Reverend Dimmesdale does in fact wear a scarlet letter on his chest, but it is hidden, just as the truth of his sin is hidden, from the eyes of the public. It seems that life may be restored to Reverend Dimmesdale one day as he speaksShow MoreRelatedEssay The Truth Behind Lies 1182 Words   |  5 Pagesmisunderstanding. The novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, emphasizes how sin and lies lead to humiliation and punishment. Hester Prynne was a y oung Puritan woman who committed adultery and was forced to wear a scarlet letter â€Å"A† next to her bosom. In spite of her sin Hester was blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Pearl. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale punished Hester for her error even though he too committed the same crime. Through the Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne portrays hypocrisy asRead MoreThe Worst Sinner in the Scarlet Letter1444 Words   |  6 PagesThe Worst Sinner in The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter there are three main sinners presented to the reader. 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