Scarlet Letter

Evan Mowrer Per. 3 Jr. English reddish Letter Jan.10, 1999 articulate count 894 Arthur Dimmesdale, the principal character in Hawthornes novel The ruddy Letter is a troubled individual, for in him rests the central contravene of the book. On the one hand, he is moved by his nerve center his love for freedom and his passion for Hester Prynne. On the new(prenominal) hand, he is ruled by his head, his knowledge of Puritanism and its denial of all fleshly love. He has committed sin of adultery but is inefficient to check into divine forgiveness, believing as puritans did that that t here(predicate) was no grace for the sinner. His dilemma his struggle to cope with sin, is clearly bear witness in the three scaffold exposures depicted in the ruby letter. (These scenes form a progression through which Dimmesdale is shown at low to deny, then to accept reluctantly and nettly to conquer his sin.)         The Scarlet Letter starts off with a scaffold scene. Where that Hester Pryne was labored to carrel on a scaffold holding her new girl bead. People say, said another, that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very(prenominal) grievously to heart that such a scandal should ask gain upon his conjuration. (pg.79) For committing the sin of adultery and not telling who the baffle was. Who is Arthur Dimmesdale a priest. While all the towns people looked, pointed and laughed at her and she was forced to wear the scarlet letter A. . On the other hand, a penalty which, in our days, would infer a stagecoach of mocking infamy and ridicule, might then be invested with roughly as stern a dignity as the penalty of death itself. (Pg. 77-78). The first scaffold scene starts with Hester walking from the prison through the marketplace showing off her scarlet A. All the way to the scaffold. When the young women-the mother of this child-stood wide of the marky revealed in the lead the crowd, it seemed to be her first impulse to clasp the infancy close to her bosom. (pg.80) Where she stands being offend, plot Arthur Dimmesdale looks on watching her being humiliated but still will not contract to his repelling act.

        The twelfth chapter is about the second scaffold scene where that Arthur Dimmesdale decides to go out at midnight and stand on the scaffold and take away his sin. The minister might stand in that respect, if so pleased him, until cockcrow should redden in the east. (pg.167) To his surprise, theres nobody there to find him. unpack Hester and Pearl who he asked to step up onto the scaffold with him so they can all be together. But they refused and ask him to come and stand with them the next day but he refused. And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiration, Mr. Dimmesdale was everyplacecome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his breast, honorable over his heart. (pg.168) Later that night Roger Chillingsworth comes to find him and takes him home to heal him, even secretly kill him. Poor, miserable man! What right had ailment like his to burden itself with crime? Crime is for the iron-nerved, who have their pick either to endure it, or, if it press too hard, to exert their bumpy and savage strength for a good purpose. (pg.168) That day Hester and Pearl are marched through the market place to stand on the scaffold once again and again asked to tell who Pearls generate was, but once again Hester refused. This scaffold scene isnt the like as the first because the towns people dont make as liberal of deal about it because its old news.

        The third scaffold scene takes place at the end of the book. There was a immense parade to elect a new mayor. In the sensory(a) air their rapture broke into speech. The street and market-place absolutely babbled, from billet to side, with applause of the minister. (pg.261) And at the end of the parade Arthur, Hester and pearl where training on going to England. And at the end of parade right before they were supposed to leave Arthur decides to finally admit that he is the father of Pearl. Thus, there had come to the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale as to closely men, in their various spheres, though seldom recognized until they see it far behind them- an epoch of life more superior and full of triumph than every previous one, or than any which could hereafter be. (pg.262) So he gets up onto the scaffold and starts to admit his guilt and then is joined by Hester and Pearl. And as a family they admit the sin. Then Arthur falls and as he dies. Hush, Hester, keep mum! said he, with tremulous solemnity. The law we broke! - The sin here so awfully revealed! - Let these alone be in thigh thoughts! (pg.269) He apologizes to Hester and Pearl for not admitting it sooner.

        In the final scene, Dimmesdale overcomes the grip of Puritanism and turns directly to God. With Gods help, I will escape thee now, he says to Chillingworth. And, in fact, he does escape Satan, commending himself into the hands of grace. Dimmesdale is finally exulting over evil. With an open conscience, he faces God and dies knowing that there is salvation and freedom from sin.

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