Dimmesdale Character Analysis

Arthur Dimmesdale

Arthur Dimmesdale is a selfless man who chose to suffer for the sake of his people, instead of allowing his selfish desires to overcome him.

Aside from the issue of Chillingworth, “it is inconceivable; the agony with which [Dimmesdale’s] public veneration torture[s] him!” (130). Dimmesdale cannot stand lying to his followers, who think so highly of him. When Dimmesdale finally gathers up enough courage to indirectly tell the truth, nobody believes him: "[Dimmesdale] told his hearers that he was […] a thing of unimaginable iniquity; [but] they little guessed what deadly purport lurked in those self-condemning words" (131). Since Dimmesdale is so highly revered among his followers, everybody thinks he is being too hard on himself. The people believe they are pale in comparison, not being just as hard on themselves. The only positive outcome of this was the audience’s moral improvement. However, the negative was Dimmesdale having to physically punish himself.

Dimmesdale, like a stray puppy, lacked the courage to stand up for himself against Chillingworth, a power greater than him. Dimmesdale struggled to maintain his composure under Chillingworth’s watch. Dimmesdale’s weakness continued to lower and almost allowed Chillingworth to win his revenge. It was not until Hester talked to Dimmesdale in the forest that he found enough strength to confess. When a stray puppy encounters a big dog, attempting to eat its food, the stray puppy will let the dog have it out of helplessness. Dimmesdale almost let this happen, but found just enough strength to rise above Chillingworth and defeat him by confessing.

Dimmesdale, like a child with pre-conventional morality, was afraid of being punished by God.