Conformity Revealed By Arthur Dimmesdale In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Humans have a tendency to conform and often neglect the potential consequences of doing so. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author introduces those consequences through a respected clergyman and sinner named Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale struggles with his guilty conscience and cowardice to confess his sin which prompts him to abide by societal rules but question himself in private. Dimmesdale’s conflict between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the novel’s message that everybody must confront their sins or they will fall victim to some form of retribution.
Initially, Dimmesdale does not appear incongruous to the Puritan society but acknowledges that vengeance will come upon him. He maintains his good

The author describes that “his form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it.”(82) This means that he is losing strength in all aspects because he has not confronted his sin and that his despondent tone is the result of his impairment. His inward questioning is physically and mentally tearing him apart and is the consequence of his sin. From the perspective of others around him, “He was often observed, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain.” (82) Ever since Hester Prynne received the scarlet letter on her chest as punishment, Dimmesdale developed an impulse to cover up his chest with his hands from the guilt of not sharing the public shame with Hester. He is punishing himself for that and the gesture is a way of reminding himself of his cowardice. Even with ominous signs of impairment and culpability as the consequence of his sin, Dimmesdale still conforms to the rest of the Puritan society and even receives praise for his powerful sermons. However, since he has not confronted his sin, Dimmesdale is slowly dying