Arthur Dimmesdale's Suffering

People's suffering is manifest in different ways. For some suffering is more painful in public, but others find more agony through suffering in silence. In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale both suffer from the sin they have committed together; Hester is depicted as being more able to deal with her suffering than Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne suffers greatly. She is scorned by the townspeople and she is kept under watchful eye by the governors and ministers of the town. Hester also has to face the judgement of the children in the town. The townspeople use Hester for her talent, but they are never able to see past the scarlet letter visible on her chest. They eventually start to see that the scarlet letter on her chest stands for able. The townspeople never really look past Hester's sin. Hester has to suffer publicly for her sin. She is forced to stand on the scaffold at noontime, when the market place is most busy. Hester and Pearl also are forced

He is seen as a saint, a member of the Elect, as one of God's few chosen people. The townspeople put Dimmesdale on a pedestal which makes his suffering even greater. Dimmesdale has to suffer for seven long years in silence because he fears the consequences of his sin. Dimmesdale is driven mad as well as declines greatly in his health. He also carves or brands the letter A on his chest. It is not visible on the outward appearance, unlike Hester's letter. Dimmesdale begins to hold late-night vigils. He even goes as far as to torture himself. He whips himself as punishment, all in secret. Dimmesdale wants to suffer as Hester has so he goes up to the scaffold as well. He goes to the scaffold at night when no one is around; again this is evidence of his suffering in silence. Dimmesdale's personality is partially the reason he is unable to tolerate and deal with his suffering as well as Hester is able to deal with her