Arthur Dimmesdale In Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

While the two faces created by Dimmesdale result from perpetual guilt, the facade created by Chillingworth stems from his desire to seek revenge; however, the effects of such lies bring similar outcomes to the characters and ultimately result in their downfall.

The creation of a false persona often results from an internal conflict consistent with guilt and regret. Dimmesdale in Scarlet Letter demonstrates his ability to transform his persona by creating two separate identities to conceal his sins and by relying on his congregations’ ignorance. He attempts to speak the truth and inflicts internal punishment upon himself preventing his guilt from overflowing his conscience. By denying his role in pearls creation, Dimmesdale exemplifies his

Chillingworth demonstrates an adherent inclination to corrupt and destroy his enemy: Arthur Dimmesdale. In order to expose Dimmesdale correctly and methodically, Chillingworth creates a separate identity to conceal his intentions. The false mien he presets comprises of compassion and genuine care while flaunting the title of physician. The townspeople admire him, referring to him as a “heaven-ordained apostle” (Hawthorne 109). Likewise, Dimmesdale initially trusts the intentions of Chillingworth and “requests” his “professional advice” (Hawthorne 110). Here, Chillingworth establishes a trusting, respectable relationship with his patient, thus enabling him to probe and cripple Dimmesdale’s mind. Even though he presents a face of scholarly, compassionate mien, the sinful obsession existing within begins overtaking his person. In private he experiments with mind games “speak[ing] in riddles” to his patient (Hawthorne 123). However, Chillingworth’s malicious acts lack complete concealment as his physical appearance demonstrates how his internal evil destroys his body. Hester Prynne takes note to this change. She observes his “wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false, and flickered over his visage so derisively, that the spectator could see his blackness” (Hawthorne 150). Nonetheless, he continually parades his obsession until the intensity from committing such revengeful sin becomes his downfall. Such a downfall occurs when Dimmesdale confesses his wrongdoings during the final scaffold scene. Chillingworth believes he exposes Dimmesdale’s sins, however, Dimmesdale ultimately sets himself free while standing on the scaffold with “a flush of triumph in his face, as one who, in the crisis of acutest pain, had won a victory” (Hawthorne 228). Upon confessing his sins, Dimmesdale dies and leaves Chillingworth with nothing more to live for since his entire