Conformity In The Scarlet Letter

It is at this point that the reader truly understands the pureness of Dimmesdale morality because to him public shame in this life is a minor punishment compared to the damnation he would have to face had he not

Dimmesdale portrays himself very ironically. He is a very well respected reverend and yet, has, for the last 7 years, worked on preaching the word of God, especially while he urges the congregation to confess openly to repent unto God. While, in reality, Dimmesdale is the one whoneeds a clean conscious. He feels like he needs to confess not only to the town but also too himself. Halfway through the novel

A reader may label Dimmesdale the purest of the sinners. Adultery, in the Christian world, is the one of the greatest sins a man can commit, second only to premeditated murder. In a Puritan society, it must be close to the same. Dimmesdale tries to purge himself of this evil sin by scourging and self-denial. However, he shies away from public confession, rationalizing the good he can instill in other men and women with his sermons. We find this illogical reasoning on page He endures Chillingworth's revenge and hatred while trying to preach what he doesn't practice. At his weakest point, Hester tempts him to cave in to the sin and do it all over again. Out of desperation to flee from the torture, he crumbles

The first character that we will try to psychoanalyze and see what unconscious motives are operating within them and their development throughout the course of the novel is Dimmesdale, who has a surprising change through out his course of the novel.first Dimmesdale is shown as a quiet and well learned man who spent most of his time in his study learning and is brought in a place of honor to deal with a sinner of the worst kind--an adulterer. '“Good

Dimmesdale’s public life and private life are radically different, but affect each other nonetheless. Dimmesdale’s private life destroys him mentally and physically. His affair with Hester violates his moral codes that he is

At this point in the chapter, Hawthorne expresses that Dimmesdale was on the verge of true repentance and confession. He even caught a glimpse

Ironically, the deacon stops to speak with Dimmesdale to display his respect for Dimmesdale’s revered and virtuous character. However, Dimmesdale is not the honorable reverend he was before he sinfully plotted with Hester to flee the town. In this chapter, Dimmesdale’s mind has become engulfed with impure thoughts. The brief time he spent with Hester in the forest where he immorally gave up all his responsibilities as a minister in return for the freedom to live unlawfully with Hester has changed him into a person that is more easily tempted by Satan. Consequently, it is with a great deal of willpower that Dimmesdale refrains from revealing his

Conformity is an action in accord with prevailing social standards, attitudes, or practices. It is has the capability to cause unwanted pressure or social influence on a person. Even though people would like to see themselves as individuals, they have the need to fit into society’s “norms.” Throughout the two novels, “The Scarlet Letter” and “The Awakening,” the theme of going against conformity is present between the main characters and their respective society. In “The Scarlet Letter,” the main character, Hester Prynne, is ashamed for breaking the harsh Puritan rules. Edna Pontellier, the protagonist in “The Awakening,” tries to break away from the typical standards of womanhood during her time. In both societies, position and status is the most important thing. Despite the constant change of how people view them, both Hester and Edna go against this tradition in order to live the way they choose to.

               The fact that Dimmesdale is a hypocrite causes him to experience increased torment due to his guilt.  Dimmesdale beautifully illustrates Hawthorne’s point, because if he were not such a highly religious man, then he would not care about his crime.  However, he does care, and he inflicts torment on himself, including long periods of fasting. In addition to hours of staring at himself in the mirror, he could also be caught numerous times in his closet, whipping himself and burning the letter "A" on his chest.   Or he could be seen at the scaffold in the wee hours of the morning, practicing how he is going to confess the next day. Deluding himself by pretending that his

Society puts pressure on citizens to conform to their standards of what is normal, however, when one obeys the toxicness that is expected, they lose their individualism and change who they truly are. It is not any different in Hester Prynne’s situation in the historical fiction novel, The Scarlet Letter. Nathaniel Hawthorne writes of an adulteress, who is forced to wear the letter “A” upon her chest to represent her sin, and her daughter, a constant reminder of what she has done. Although a puritan community demands a society to conform, Hester Prynne continues doing what is not expected and living her individual life even after being forced to hold a symbol of shame, ultimately illustrating the importance of being a nonconformist.

Dimmesdale was ashamed of what he did and wanted to confess his sin, but for the longest time, he could not get himself to stand before a crowd. “For, as it was impossible to assign a reason for such distrust and abhorrence, so Mr. Dimmesdale, conscious that the poison of one morbid spot was infecting his heart’s entire substance, attributed all his presentiments to no other cause” (94). Dimmesdale was so upset with what he did that he began to hallucinate and would starve to punish himself. At the very end of the novel, Dimmesdale confessed his sin while he was giving a sermon to a crowd.

Though not exemplary, his actions are rooted in the desire to surpass the ordinary and to achieve personal dignity and nevertheless, his means are tragic and striving towards what is humanly impossible only destines him for downfall. His intentions are never sinful, just fallacious, as he doesn't understand that in his desperate strive towards salvation, he inadvertently becomes "a man devoid of conscience, - a wretch with coarse and brutal instincts" (137). Yet, it very well may be as Hawthorne notes, “...human to avoid the peril of death and infamy…” (147) as we hold these to be "the inscrutable machinations of an enemy" (147). Thus, some readers say he cannot be blamed entirely for what he does to himself. It is clear in this light that Dimmesdale's fatal flaw is not his sin, but his hypocrisy, as his sin is amplified by his refusal to face and accept it. He is aware of the "subtle, but remorseful hypocrite" (92) that he is, yet refuses to correct himself. Dimmesdale's flawed nature is additionally a comment made by Hawthorne on the effects of private vigil and public shame. He carries on, "looking pure as new-fallen snow," while his heart

Mr. Dimmesdale’s conscience constantly brought his negative aspects to mind, and caused him to spiral into self hatred and misery. The overwhelming presence of guilt for his offense caused Mr. Dimmesdale unbearable suffering and general unhappiness in knowing that he had not only wronged God, but Hester and the entire community as well.

    Dimmesdale on the other hand continues to suffer physically and mentally for the concealment of his sin.  Dimmesdale feels that he is safe from being condemned by Puritan society by concealing his sin, yet ironically, it eats away at his heart.  Ironically, a townsperson says to Dimmesdale, speaking of the searching out of sin, "methinks it

To exemplify this, Dimmesdale strove for personal freedom and individuality. Dimmesdale, for most of the book, did not show his true colors to the people of Boston. He maintained the position of a good hearted priest to please the people. He, at that time, was not exhibiting true individuality. At the end of the book, however, he reveals his true self to the people of Boston.