Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, he portrays the Reverend Dimmesdale. A man who holds a high place of honor among the masses, but in solitary he is plagued by a secret sin. His secret devoirs him from the inside out. He tortures and shames himself until he finally makes peace with his partner in sin, and makes peace with his followers. Despite keeping such a secret he remained a honorable man but he did not deserve the punishment from himself and Chillingworth. In the marketplace during Hester’s public shaming, Reverend Dimmesdale begs Hester to tell the world or his sin for he does not have the strength(¿, Hawthorne). The Reverend continues to seek peace but doesn't have the strength to reach it himself. This does not mean he has lost his honor, he keeps his duty as a priest. Dimmesdale plummets into self punishment, with the nudge from Chillingworth. While yes he did sin living with the idea of the crime was…show more content… No other man with honor and integrity less than the Reverend would have come and made peace with his lost family. It is clear now what he must do after learning the true intent of his physician Robert Chillingworth. The Reverend, now full of peace confronts Chillingworth. The Reverend being a man of integrity does not resort to violence or harsh language but rather says “I will not be requiring your services anymore.”( ). A man without honor or integrity after learning of horrible intentions such of Chillingworth would have resorted to violence, but the Revered does not lack the qualities. Finally with his last strength, he confesses on the scaffold his secret sin to all that look up to him and dies. Reverend Dimmesdale knew the end was near and very well could have had the secret die with him, but he knew his soul would not find peace if he did not keep his status as an honorable
