What do Hester and Dimmesdale think of their sin in The Scarlet Letter?
Both Hester and Dimmesdale, are characters in the Scarlet Letter. They suffer with the guilt of the sin of adultery that they committed. This is revealed when Dimmesdale was giving his revelation, in which “he tore away the ministerial band from before his breast.
What secret does Hester reveal to Arthur Dimmesdale?
What are Hester Prynne’s secrets? Hester keeps secret the name of her illegitimate child’s father (Reverend Dimmesdale) and the true identity of Roger Chillingworth (her husband). She will not reveal Pearl’s father to protect Reverend Dimmesdale’s reputation, as he is the minister of the church.
How do Hester and Dimmesdale approach each other?
Both Hester and Dimmesdale talk with each other about the past seven years, and Dimmesdale confesses his misery and unhappiness. While Hester consoles him and mentions people’s reverence for him, the minister feels his guilt and hypocrisy even more.
How has Dimmesdale’s secret sin affected his life?
Dimmesdale’s secret has affected his life by becoming miserable and guilty. He feels that his role as a minister has diminished. Dimmesdale says, “Hester, I am most miserable! …
What can a ruined soul like mine?
What can a ruined soul, like mine, effect towards the redemption of other souls? —or a polluted soul, towards their purification? And as for the people’s reverence, would that it were turned to scorn and hatred!
Is Hester truly penitent for her crime?
No, not thine!” Is Hester truly penitent for her crime? Though Hester regrets the effect her crime has had on her child and on her position in society, she sees Chillingworth’s betrayal of Dimmesdale as an even greater crime. Ultimately, Hester learns to forgive herself for her sins while Dimmesdale does not.
Why did Hester squeeze Pearl at the end of chapter 2?
Hester thinks about her youth spent in poverty in England. She envisions her parents’ faces and sees also the face of a “misshapen scholar,” her husband. Hester touches the scarlet letter and squeezes her baby, Pearl, so tightly that Pearl cries. Hester then realizes that the letter and her baby are her only reality.
Why does Dimmesdale forgive Hester?
Why does Dimmesdale forgive Hester? Who is the worst sinner? Chillingworth violated the sanctity of a human heart. He forgives Hester because he has wronged her too.
What is Dimmesdale a symbol of?
He is unable to reveal his sin. At worst, Dimmesdale is a symbol of hypocrisy and self-centered intellectualism; he knows what is right but has not the courage to make himself do the public act. When Hester tells him that the ship for Europe leaves in four days, he is delighted with the timing.
What are Dimmesdale’s last words?
Dimmesdale’s very last words are “Praised be his name! His will be done! Farewell!” These words are significant because they were spoken after his confession, and then he died.
Does Hester beg Dimmesdale to confess?
Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband. Hester, unable to bear his harsh words, pulls him to her chest and buries his face in the scarlet letter as she begs his pardon. Dimmesdale eventually forgives her, realizing that Chillingworth is a worse sinner than either of them.
Why does Hester lie to Pearl about the scarlet letter?
Pearl wants to know what the scarlet letter means. Hester is tempted to tell her because she has no one else in whom she can confide. Despite her pity for Chillingworth in Chapter 14, Hester reveals her deep hatred for him in this chapter.
What is Chillingworth’s worst sin according to Dimmesdale?
Chapter 17: What is Chillingworth’s worst sin according to Dimmesdale? Chillingworth’s revenge has been blacker than Dimmesdale’s according to Dimmesdale. Chillingworth has violated the holiness of the human heart.