Consequences In The Scarlet Letter

He replied, “ What else could I look for, being what I am, and leading such a life of mine… Hester, I am most miserable” (Hawthorne 166). It is very noticeable that Dimmesdale is sorrowful for what he had done. Dimmesdale knew that he, a part of church, could not be known for such a horrible sin. He is doing so terrible that he is physically weakening. The shame is ruining his life and actually, he even died after he finally confessed his sin.

He has been doing this evil stunt for years. Dimmesdale thought he was truly trying to help him, but in reality he was really trying to make him feel extremely guilty for his decisions and actions. It seems wrong to mentally hurt a minister, but then again, he did do something illegal, according to Chillingworth. He is so obsessed with hurting the minister, he can’t back away from the hobby; “The unfortunate physician, while uttering these words, lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld some frightful shape…it was one of those moments – which sometimes occurs only at the interval of years – when a man’s moral aspect is faithfully revealed to his mind’s eye. Not improbably, he had never before viewed himself as he did now” (118).

The war caused him to be very disappointed and depressed for what he had done. Tim O’Brien wasn 't the only person living with guilt from the war. Lieutenant Cross was responsible for the men in his troops.He was very distracted by a woman named Martha. Lieutenant Cross distractions cause someone to be killed. Tim speaks about the lieutenant guilt “He felt shame.He hated himself.

Dying with their sins seems to be the greatest fear the townspeople have and Hawthorne describes it as, “Dying sinners cried aloud for Mr. Hopper, and would not yield their breath till he appeared”(10). It is a great vulnerability to bare their deepest mistakes to someone who sees all and judges them for the rest of eternity. “The black veil involved his own spirit in the horror with which it overwhelmed all others”(6) the minister had seen his reflection in a glass cup, reminded of the horrible sin the veil represent for him. He quickly runs, the fear of the known chasing him and taunting him by hanging in front of his face, ever so reminding that he shall die with it.

Antonio begged God to forgive Andrew (Antonio’s brother) “Your brother has sinned with the whores, and so I condemn him to hell for eternity!”(Pg.173). Antonio’s demeanor portrayed confusion and fear of why he is the chosen one to save his brothers when he is hopeful for their saving of him. “Oh, I cried, forgive me Lord! I have sinned, I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed. My thoughts have trapped me and made me flee from you!”(Pg.173).

He knows what is right and wrong but one example has been haunting him in his life. Now in a Puritan society, sin had to have been confessed publicly and they must bear their shame. This however goes against what the Word actually says and this is what created Arthur Dimmesdale as a character. He most likely has already repented to God but his guilt will not leave until he confesses it to his congregation and it leads him to other “ways” of repentance. Being reminded of his guilt 24/7 causes his his health to deteriorate to the point of death, possibly alluding to the fact that the wages of sin are death.

Evolution is defined as a “process of change” and sin leads to changes in a person’s life. Hester Prynne was guilty of adultery. She committed the sin with Arthur Dimmesdale. In addition, Hester wears a scarlet letter in the form of an A on her dress as a sign of shame, but Dimmesdale has a burnt A on his chest, that is not visible to the public. Although they bear some minor similarities, the differences between Hester’s and Dimmesdale’s responses to their guilt are pronounced.

She then sinned by committing adultery. Hester had a baby that was not from her husband, which of course was wrong. She lied by not staying committed to her marriage and husband. Many people say she did wrong for committing a sin. “People say “said another, that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation.” (Nathaniel Hawthorne

Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale had an affair with Hester Prynne and Hester is the one being shamed for it. Being considered a god and being looked up to didn't help much either, being praised was a constant reminder of how imperfect he was and how cowardly he became because of his guilt. In conclusion, symbolism was greatly used in The Scarlet Letter to show how guilt can destroy someone. Dimmesdale has shown us that guilt can be more destructive than punishment imposed on others and that deception and secrecy can be destructive. Society has cause guilt to destroy a human by what they think

The townspeople gave Hester the punishment of wearing a scarlet letter “A” on her chest, and using her as an example of a transgressor. Hester’s husband hates her and for doing an adultery act while he was lost at sea. They both despise each other, for they think of betrayal. Though they both committed a wrong act. The puritan religion has strict beliefs, and anyone who lives in the town must follow all the strict rules.