Scarlet Letter Sin And Redemption Essay

“The first and greatest punishment of a sinner is the conscience of sin”, is believed a Roman statesman Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Sin is an immoral, evil act, but it is in human nature to sin. However, one can be delivered from sin through redemption and be saved from evil. This theme of sin and redemption is evident throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale exhibits this theme through the sin he commits and the redemption he tries to achieve. Dimmesdale is one of the central sinners in The Scarlet Letter. Dimmesdale leaves Hester to learn how to live with her punishment by herself and without the man she loves. The sin Dimmesdale commits is his refusal to take responsibility for his

Although both Hester and Dimmesdale make the same mistake, Dimmesdale's sin is much greater. This is because Hester’s sin is exposed to everyone in the town, whereas Dimmesdale has to keep his wrongdoing a secret. Dimmesdale is with Mr. Wilson questioning Hester about is who the father of Pearl. Hawthorne explains, “”She will not speak!” murmured Mr. Dimmesdale, who, leaning over the balcony, with his hand upon his heart, had awaited the result of his appeal. He now drew back with a long respiration.” (Hawthorn 64). Hester refuses to answer the question revealing who Pearl's father is, continuing to remain loyal to him. After she refuses to answer, Dimmesdale takes a deep breath of relief; this depicts his happiness that he can continue to repent in peace and secrecy. He decides it is best to pretend the adultery did not happen in order to preserve his image as a pastor. Additionally, when Chillingworth speaks with Hester when she is still in her prison cell, they discuss Dimmesdale's sin. Chillingworth describes, “Between thee and me, the scale hangs fairly

He does this by self punishment. He believes that, because of the evil he committed, he needs to be punished. According to Hawthorne, “In Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet under lock and key was a bloody scourge” (Hawthorne 131-2). Consequently, “It was his custom, too, as it has been that of many other pious Puritans, to fast- not, however, like them, in order to purify the body and render it the fitter medium of celestial illumination, but rigorously, and until he knees trembled beneath him as an act of penance.” (Hawthorne 132). Furthermore, Hawthorne states, “He kept vigils, likewise, night after night, sometimes in utter darkness and sometimes with a glimmering lamp.” These are all methods Dimmesdale uses as forms of self punishment because of the extreme amount of guilt he feels for the evils he has committed. He is attempting to achieve redemption by hurting himself, believing that if he did this, God will recognize his plea for forgiveness. Consequently, Dimmesdale is known for putting his hand over his heart often, the reason is not known to the town until Chillingworth looks under his shirt. Hawthorne states, “The physician advanced directly in front of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment that, hitherto, had always covered it even from the professional eye.” (Hawthorne 126). Chillingworth is very excited by what he found under the shirt and on his