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Reverend Dimmesdale's Redemption In The Scarlett Letter

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Sin is an inevitable element of the human condition. Response to transgressions affect how others perceive themselves and how their peers view them. Moral consequences of sin vary from person to person. Some may feel shame or sorrow because of sin, others feel compelled to sin again after sinning one time. Many seek redemption through giving back and providing charity.
Reverend Dimmesdale committed the sin of adultery and in doing so, he fell victim to the moral consequences that resulted. Pearl observed that “. . . the minister keeps his hand over his heart. . .” (Hawthorne 163). Overtime, he began to appear pale and sickly. The reason this occurred was perhaps Dimmesdale’s body is punishing him for the sin he has committed. His health began to deteriorate as a means of personal penance for …show more content…

Although this is a very serious sin, Hester’s reputation is redeemable. One of the ways she can achieve redemption is by serving the punishment of being stared at by “. . . a thousand relenting eyes. . .” (Hawthorne 54) on the scaffold in the town square. By serving the socially accepted punishment, Hester is able to start redeeming her reputation in the eyes of society. Hester not only serves punishment upon the scaffold, but she also completes charitable actions, leading the townspeople to think highly of her. They found a “. . . helpfulness. . . in her. . . [with] much power to do, and power to sympathize. . .” (Hawthorne 148). She made herself a reliable person to her community, and by doing this, she redeemed herself from her sin. Humans eventually fall from grace. How they respond to this can either strengthen their character or lead them to ruin. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne vividly portrays the different ways people can deal with their failures. The story gives insight to each of our struggles between good and evil. Although failure is part of human nature, also is the ability to redeem

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