Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale

Yemi Salami Mrs. R. Patterson English 5 AP 22 October, 2012 Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is one troubled (and multi-faceted) domain. A brilliant speaker, a kind man, a wise reverend everyone loves this guy. Hes graceful much a rock star in the Massachusetts speak Colony (and that doesnt seem like such an easy travail in Puritan society). With his education and religious standing it allows him to have a larger sense of humility and understanding. So with Dimmesdale also being Hesters illicit lover and the father of her child, Pearl. He system silent virtually his offense, even while he publicly urges Hester to reveal the name of her lover.The cashier indicates that Dimmesdale is one of those individuals who secretly practices self-flagellation (basically, beating himself) to punish himself for his sin. This suggests that he is susceptible to shame, except secretive nearly it he prefers to punish himself rather than to be penalise by others. It also leaves open the question t hat emerges later did Dimmesdale create the rat on his chest himself, or was it put there by the obscure Man (Satan), or did it emerge on his skin because of the struggle occurring in his soul?Dimmesdale is a hypocrite through much of the book. He remains the respected and saintly minister on the outside, but his conscience consume past at him until he can hardly stand himself. He wants people to see him for who he really is. Though he tries to avow his sins to the congregation, they do not take him seriously, because he is never specific about the sins he has committed. For seven years, Dimmesdale is silent, and his health declines as a result. Today, we would maybe reckon hes depressed, and that his depression is so bad that it becomes fatal.In Christian theology, sin leads to death unless an individual accepts Gods free gift of compassion (this is the concept of grace). In Dimmesdales case, unconfessed sin literally drives him to his demise For a few moments, really just two days, we see Dimmesdale give up onward from his former commitment to Christian ideas and morality. His decision to run away with Hester leaves him open to all sorts of suggestions from the Black Man. Ultimately, however, Dimmesdales better self reasserts itself. Although he has taken seven years to reach the point here he recognizes he is destroying himself with his guilt, the moment did finally arrive. The Reverend Dimmesdale represents a weak man who has sinned but failed to accept public condemnation for his sin. His subsequent hypocrisy, however, eats away at him until his health fails. Recognizing that death is imminent, he chooses to purify his soul at the last minute by confessing his sin publicly and revealing the cherry-red letter A that has appeared on his chest over his heart. The symbol on his skin, suggests that, though we may hide our sins as best as we can, in the main they will always surface and be revealed.