Sin of Adultery in The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne :: essays research papers

The greatest sin committed by any character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter was that of Arthur Dimmesdale. Although Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth wronged each other, the person that did evil against both of them was Dimmesdale. Not only did Dimmesdale have relations with Hester Prynne though he knew that she was still married, but he never came forward as the companion in her sin. Hester Prynne, whose husband was missing for two years with no proof of him being alive of dead, had an affair with Reverend Dimmesdale. She was charged by the court of Boston, Massachusetts for adultery and was sentenced to wear a red letter "A" on her clothes at all times and to stand on the scaffold for three hours a day. Although she would not speak the man's name who was her accomplice, what Hester did in repentance was that she admitted to her crime and served her punishment. Master Prynne, also known as Roger Chillingworth, was partly responsible for Hester Prynne's relationship with Reverend Dimmesdale because his absence of communication for two years caused her to think that he was dead. Chillingworth was also guilty of tormenting Reverend Dimmesdale after he was convinced that he was the father of Hester's child. Pearl, who has a great sense of observation, claims that Chillingworth is the devil and has taken control over Dimmesdale when she says "Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old black man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already." Arthur Dimmesdale was involved in the adulterous act along with Hester Prynne. One fact that makes this event more criminal for him is that Dimmesdale is a minister. Another reason for Dimmesdale's acts to be more shameful than Hester's is that she confessed and served the punishment for her crime. While Hester was on the scaffold, Dimmesdale expresses that he does not have the courage to admit his sin and sacrifice his good name. However, when Dimmesdale says "who, perchance, hath not the courage to grasp it for himself--the bitter, but wholesome, cup that is now presented to thy lips" he is inviting Hester to confess Dimmesdale's involvement with her to the townspeople with the explanation that it will be a bitter but wholesome relief to the both of them. Although Dimmesdale was tortured by his conscience for his wrongdoings, he did not publicly admit his guilt until seven years later on.