Arthur Dimmesdale, the priest and holy figure in The Scarlet Letter, captivates me as the most intriguing character. Despite his revered status, he carries the burden of a hidden sin that consumes him from within. Irony prevails as he passionately condemns this very transgression in his sermons.
Hester’s husband, Chillingworth, continuously inflicts pain on Mr. Dimmesdale by persistently invading his privacy and attempting to uncover the secret that he already knows. Chillingworth’s actions stem from a desire for revenge against both Mr. Dimmesdale and Hester.
Pearl frequently mentions that Dimmesdale keeps placing his hand over his heart. When Hester asks Pearl if she knows why her mother wears the “A”, Pearl responds, “For the same reason the minister holds his hand over his heart.” Hester’s husband, Roger Chillingworth, claims that he is there to assist in Reverend Dimmesdale’s healing, although he is not truly doing so. Chillingworth asserts that some men conceal their secrets, and if he were to reveal his secrets, Dimmesdale’s sickness would be cured. However, Dimmesdale declares that he will not confess his sin to anyone and warns Chillingworth not to come between him and God.
Mr. Dimmesdale demonstrates his cowardice in several instances. When Pearl, Hester, and Arthur are alone together and preparing to depart, Pearl asks him if he would join them on the scaffold the following day. Later on, she inquires if he will walk hand in hand with them out of the forest. In response, he asserts that they will only do so on judgment day. His fear stems from the belief that his reputation as a “holy” man would be destroyed if anyone were to discover his sin. The potential judgment and rejection he may face is comparable to Hester’s experience. While standing together on the scaffold, he confesses his sins to God, finding solace in unburdening himself. However, he still keeps the scarlet letter a secret, choosing not to disclose it to anyone.
Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale make the decision to move to another country and start a fresh life in order for Dimmesdale to escape and avoid his sin. The day before their departure is Dimmesdale’s last day alive, and he is scheduled to participate in a parade and deliver an election sermon. Aware of his declining health, he writes the best sermon of his life. During the parade, Dimmesdale appears rejuvenated, as if it’s the greatest day of his life. After delivering the shocking sermon, the long-held burden that supported him finally snaps. Despite the astonishment over his sermon, he calls out to Hester and Pearl to join him on the scaffold. On the scaffold, he confesses his sin and displays the scarlet letter that had been embedded in his chest. With this final act of confession, he can die as a truly free man. Collapsing into Hester’s arms he utters, “Isn’t this better than what we planned in the forest?” Afterward, he takes his last breath and passes away. The witnesses of Mr. Dimmesdale’s confession are left shocked and stunned. His impact on the crowd is significant, highlighting that even a supposedly “holy” minister sins like everyone else.
I believe that Mr. Dimmesdale displayed cowardice by hiding behind his perceived holiness, which ultimately weakened his body. His death cannot be solely attributed to his physical deterioration, but rather to the intense pain caused by his secret. Furthermore, I view him as ignorant because instead of embracing his guilt and revealing his wrongdoings, he chose to suffer in silence and refrain from pursuing Hester, his love. Ultimately, he inflicted this pain upon himself.
