Arthur Dimmesdale Traits

Words: 1235

Pages: 5

Open Document

In the book, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, he makes many characters with flaws that make them human. Characters have positive and negative traits that work together to make a more unique and human character. Arthur Dimmesdale specifically has many instances in the book where this can be seen. Dimmesdale has both positive and negative traits that make him a more humane character. Dimmesdale’s job as a revenant and preacher provides many positive traits, the fact that he is a sinner provides many negative traits, and the conjunction of both positive and negative traits interact to make a very unique and humane character. In the Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale has many positive traits that can be analyzed resulting from his job as a preacher …show more content…
Your present life is not less holy, in the very truth, that it seems in people's eyes. Is there no reality in the penitence thus sealed and witnessed by good works? And wherefore should it not bring you peace.” In this quote, Hester can be seen stating that Dimmesdale has earned repentance through his good works. I think this shows the good side of Dimmesdale as he has been doing his best effort in trying to repent of this sin to no avail. Even though he feels like he has not repented, he is still doing good for the townspeople and this is why many people like him and follow him as their leader. Another example of a positive trait of Dimmesdale is yet again when he is discussing with Hester their plans of escaping to Europe. “Wretched and sinful as I am, I have had no other thought than to drag my earthly existence into the sphere where providence hath placed me. Lost as my own soul is, I would still do what I can for other human souls! I dare not quit my post,” This quote shows how Dimmesdale is first reluctant when Hester proposes the idea of running away to Europe. I think the fact that he is so devoted to his post as a reverend is a good trait as he is committed to helping

Essay about Scarlet Letter

Puritanical Vengeance Revenge is a thematic motif found in the puritanical works The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. While Roger Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter seeks vengeance against Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale for their adulterous actions, Abigail Williams in The Crucible likewise seeks revenge against Goody Proctor for the pursuit of her husband, John Proctor. However, revenge in both novels proves to be a double edged sword, for not only…

Words 762 - Pages 4

Scarlet Letter Symbolism Essay

an object or image provide substantial meaning to a character. During the Romantic period of American literature, the main focus of symbolism was based on nature. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne creates the characters names based on the trait the…

Words 1512 - Pages 7

Forgiveness In The Scarlett Letter

“Staying silent is like a slow growing cancer to the soul and a trait of a true coward”- Shannon L. Adler, an author on Goodreads. Generally speaking, people know that if you bottle your emotions up inside for a long time, it will lead to more suffering and stress. Over the course of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, we read about an affair between a married woman, Hester Prynne, and a clergyman, Arthur Dimmesdale, which leaves Hester with a child, Pearl. The novel takes place in the seventeenth…

Words 838 - Pages 4

Hester Prynne In Scarlet Letter

physical appearance would be considered traits of a romantic. But, he compresses his mouth, and could have an expression of self restrains, which would not be romantic characteristics. These mixed explanations of Arthur leave readers with a confused sense of his personality. Continually, later in the story, Dimmesdale himself struggles with his emotions. He does not want to be with Hester, but he can not prevent his feelings, so he punishes himself for it. Dimmesdale wants to be a man of reason and thought…

Words 878 - Pages 4

Hycrisy In Scarlet Letter

colony. Ways to punish people would not be the first thought that came to mind when creating the society. For people who believe in forgiveness and rehabilitation from sin they surely do not show it. Through the penance and punishment of Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth, and the irony of puritan society, Hawthorne tries to show the reader that hypocrisy is a sin deeper than adultery and just as worthy of punishment. Adultery seems like it may be the main theme in The Scarlet Letter, but only…

Words 1208 - Pages 5

Hester Prynne Love In Scarlet Letter

The way these characters deal with the aspect of love reveals their differing personalities. Hester Prynne is very headstrong proud, and honest woman. Yet she has one weakness, love. Hester is so passionate about the love she feels for Arthur Dimmesdale that she is is willing to walk through fire if it means he will be safe. When emerging from the prison, Hester is described as “...tall, with a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale. She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw…

Words 1816 - Pages 8

Compare And Contrast Scarlet Letter And John Proctor

Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter and John Proctor in the Crucible are different in many ways but also share common traits and qualities. Hester and John lived during the Puritan time when adultery was a crime punishable by death and they still committed such a heinous crime. Although their actions and their morals are similar and they possess a personality that can only be described as oxlike stubbornness, Hester is more resilient and unyielding whereas John is more compassionate and heroic. They…

Words 607 - Pages 3

Sin In The Scarlet Letter

misery; only few could possibly see sin as a blessing from God. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author presents sin as a fine line between good and evil, meaning it could be viewed as either one. Hester Prynne and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, two lovers that share a single crime, are able to develop their own opinions of themselves, each other, and society as they strive to continue living on with guilt in their hearts. In The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne introduces…

Words 725 - Pages 3

Self Preservation In The Crucible

put on a positive front, severe consequences were the result, such as being placed in a pillory or branded for life. Out of reasons for self-preservation, many chose to deceive the general public of their motivations. This trait was highlighted within the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, as well as the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel…

Words 1058 - Pages 5

Essay on A Romance

to this fact, it is not physically possible to grasp. So rather than Pearl literally catching the sunshine, the action is symbolic for Pearl’s nature. The sunshine is symbolic for innocence, purity, and goodness. Pearl, a child, epitomizes those traits to the fullest extent. ‘Sunshine’ also represents the divine, which shows Pearl’s strong relationship with God. After all, Hester claims that Pearl is a gift from Him. The instance Hester perceives that Pearl caught the sunshine proves that Pearl…

Words 1154 - Pages 5