Guilt In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Guilt occurs when individuals feel ashamed, unworthy, or embarrassed due to an action for which they are responsible. This guilt can be described as an affliction, or inheritance that is woven into the soul like a rapacious disease and characterized by a state of ignominy. Throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is perceived as a man of religious fervor, virtue, and solicitude. Furthermore, the Puritan congregation regards him with admiration, honor, and high esteem. However, he is plagued by guilt which tortures his character and darkly stains his soul. Dimmesdale’s sin of adultery ravages his spirit as the overwhelming essence of secret guilt latches onto his conscience, ultimately killing him.

Initially, when Chillingworth arrives in the Puritan community, Dimmesdale seems to decline physically, causing the mysterious doctor to care for him. According to the narrator, “the health of Mr. Dimmesdale had evidently begun to fail. By those best acquainted with his habits, the paleness of the young minister's cheek was accounted for by his too earnest devotion to study” (Hawthorne 82). Essentially, Dimmesdale’s secret guilt consumes him physically as he takes part in many fasts and vigils. His paleness is due to studious pastoral habits as he wishes to prevent his sin from forbidding a future life in heaven. Dimmesdale’s perpetual desire to purify himself deteriorates his physical condition. By portraying Dimmesdale’s cheeks as pale, Hawthorne shows how secret guilt can ravage one’s physical appearance. Another instance of physical deterioration due to guilt occurs after Dimmesdale delivers the election sermon. The narrator proclaims, “How feeble and pale he looked, amid all his triumph...The glow, which they had just before beheld burning on his cheek, was extinguished, like a flame that sinks down hopelessly among the late decaying embers. It seemed hardly the face of a man alive, with such a death-like hue” (Hawthorne 171). The narrator describes the weak and sickly nature of Dimmesdale as his inspiration and energy vanish.

The reverend is persistently angered throughout the novel because he is a role model to many people in the community. People believe that he is a perfect human being and are unaware of his sin. Dimmesdale states, “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!” (Hawthorne 131). Hawthorne characterizes Dimmesdale as a person who dislikes being perceived as a role model in society. The reverend believes that he cannot purify other people’s souls, if his soul is stained with guilt. Therefore, he wishes that the respect and compassion of the community would turn into hatred and pity. Hawthorne is able to demonstrate how guilt harms Dimmesdale by describing his social interactions. Since townspeople perceive him positively, Dimmesdale’s guilt consumes him to an even greater extent. The narrator states “a subtle disease...had long since begun to eat into the real substance of his character. No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true” (Hawthorne 147). Essentially, he is discussing how Dimmesdale is perceived as a revered and compassionate man by the people, but lives a life plagued by his