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Short narrative essay on dimmesdale from the scarlet letter
Short narrative essay on dimmesdale from the scarlet letter
How was dimmesdale's attitude at the beginning of the scarlet letter
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Forgiveness As long as civilized societies have existed, hypocrisy and discrimination have been an unassailable piece of each of them. A punishment for an offense has always been determined by the severity of the action, which inherently depends on the culture of the people. However, the presence of some level of judgement of others has remained inevitable. Many would like to ask the question “Why does this feeling of entitlement to pass judgement exist when everything is subjective to each person’s own morals?” One might ponder that very enigmatic phenomenon. However, this essay will focus on why and how a person should overcome the inevitable mistakes they will make in their lifetime. The word itself seems much too cliche, but as these literary …show more content…
It is important to discuss the individuals doing the act of forgiving and receiving forgiveness; especially since they can be the same person. Often we assume that people are motivated by their obligations to others, rather than their obligations to themselves. Throughout history, the Puritan society is very concerned with human obligation to other beings and to their God. Through generations of different interpretations of a holy book, they had developed a system of laws that determined right from wrong; a standard which humans had been doing since the beginning of religion. Upon committing a sin, the society determined the punishment and the forgiveness came from the God. They lived their lives in extreme devotion to a faith; to a belief that detracted from the human obligation that we all have to …show more content…
Obviously, the perfect portrayal of this is seen in Arthur Dimmesdale. Throughout the story, he attempts to maintain his sanity; carrying the burden of a secret “sin” (that changed the lives of more than even he knew). He represents the many that hide their actions in attempt to conceal the truth. The problem is: a person cannot forgive, until there is something to forgive. One must admit their wrongs in order to accept them. Perhaps it is unfair to judge him on account that his partner, Hester, wasn’t given the opportunity to lie. Though all of the humiliation he was initially spared, somehow evens the playing field of judgement. Hester and her poor child, Pearl, suffered humiliation and exile from society; whereas Dimmesdale was consistently praised in his furtiveness. Ironically, the latter endured the most damage– physically and mentally. Now, most of this pain was notably self inflicted, but there were other forces that came into play in this plotline. As a story of religion, some would call the last main character “The Devil”. Being that he evolved into the monster he became and didn’t originate as an evil force, I believe Roger Chillingworth should be seen as a cautionary example of the constant need for forgiveness/acceptance of things we cannot control. Once again, another character that ended up as their own worst
Throughout the entire novel, every character except for Roger Chillingworth learned to forgive and cleared his or her heart of guilt. When the reverend showed his concern for the doctor just before his death he said, “may God forgive thee. Thou hast deeply sinned” (251). For example, Dimmesdale used some of his last words to forgive the doctor of his wrongdoing. Even though Chillingworth tortured and haunted him until the very end of his life, the reverend had strong enough character to want God to show mercy on the evildoer’s soul. Moreover, Dimmesdale was able to forgive Hester when he told her, “I do forgive you Hester” (191). Because of his high position of authority, Dimmesdale set high standards for his life, and that reflected in the way he handled personal relationships. Also, if Chillingworth had been more understanding towards Hester’s problem, he had a better chance at winning her love back. Finally, both Hester and her lover admitted their sin on the scaffold and sought forgiveness for their transgressions while Chillingworth never could admit he sinned.
Edmund S. Morgan's book, "The Puritan Dilemma", is an account of the events encountered by John Winthrop's mission of creating a city on a hill. Winthrop leads and directs the Massachusetts Bay Company, to the new world, while trying to find a solution to the Puritan dilemma, which was how they were going to live in the world while trying to live up to the ideals in the Bible. These ideals lead John Winthrop to propose the creation of a “city on a hill”. His proposition involves reforming the Church of England, in the new world, by purifying the church of all its flaws. It would create a citadel of God’s chosen people, the kind of society that God demanded of all His servants. According to Winthrop, "They should be purified of their unregenerate members, their heretical clergymen, their unwarranted ceremonies, their bishops, and archbishops, but they were nevertheless churches and must be embraced as churches". (Morgan, 27) Winthrop continues to emphasize that they have been selected by God, like Israel of old, to serve as a model society to others; they would be a “city on a hill” for everyone to see and observe.
Forgiving someone is a way to release us from the pain they have brought us. Justice can just be
With a raging desire for knowledge and a single-minded pursuit of retribution, Chillingworth’s demonic actions lead him to damnation, demonstrating the need for reconciliation in times of conflict. Two Wrongs Make a Wrong Revenge. It exists within everyone. Pervading throughout all social relationships, revenge is damaging and detrimental to any hopes of reconciliation. Those who commit revenge are cowardly people unwilling to face the harsh realities of life.
From the intellectual noble man, Roger Chillingworth became the worst sinner and a pawn of the devil when he let obsession, vengeance, jealousy and hatred overpower his morals and intelligence. Chillingworth’s symbolism of evil and sin was strong, powerful and successful as he represented the self-destructive power of vengeance that people let in their lives, as well as the innate evil that results from jealousy and hatred, which can turn the purest man into the worst of sinners.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do concerning one another’s well-being. The step of forgiveness requires us to look past the wrongs that have been done to us, and without any sort of retribution or atonement of sorts, drop that wrong-doing out of the scope of the relationship and move on. Christianity and Psychology have differing, yet surprisingly similar ways of looking at the role of forgiving one another. The agreement is obvious, Psychologists and Christians alike recognize that forgiveness has great value in preserving relationships, not just personal but communal as well. The disagreement tends to be a difference of opinion in what context forgiveness is appropriate. The question then bears itself, who is right? Should we
It has been stated that a person’s sense of morality deals with how he should act as a person, as opposed to acting on the basis of his race, ethnicity or religion. This statement therefore implies that all people should have the same set of morals. People should be concerned with how they should act as people in general and not let other aspects of who they are influence their sense of morality. But in the end this belief has been proven to be false. Different people across the world have contrasting moral reactions, natural responses and thoughts to moral dilemmas. (Fleischacker, 1994, p.8)
There is usually a feeling of change and attitude that regards positive alternatives towards an offender. In this situation acts like vengefulness is overlooked. In short, contrary or deconstructive emotions are not included in the predicament. Forgiveness is one of the best elements of the pro-social emotions that assist in improving the mental position of an individual including the surrounding environment. Forgiveness also leads to peaceful environments. It is also described as a legal terminology for giving up all claims on the perception of debt or duty to do something (Kimonis et al., 1249). Forgiveness on social grounds is not considered in politics. This pro-social emotion gives a relief on things that cannot be replaced. The term is mostly used in religion. People spiritually understand why forgiveness is appropriate and spread it. Therefore, the mental situation of the kind person and the one forgiven is stable and at peace. Activities run well without fear of meeting the party one has offended. Thus freedom of mind and operation is restored. This implies that physical health, well being, of the human body is at peace too. Those who apply forgiveness many times achieve a lot because they save time in doing constructive
To gain a better understanding and develop a positive attitude and acceptance of the varying ethnic and cultural differences we have in society today in the modern world, we need to step back and examine and study the philosophical views of ancient philosophers and attempt to modify the traditional mind set of today’s population in regards to racism. We are in fact all human, all cultures, all ethnic groups, all races, all skin color and cannot be compared to other living creatures, we can make judgments, we know right from wrong, we all have the opportunity to succeed. We as the human race must re-evaluate our morals which define our personal character and strive to make healthier and better decision in our lives on issues that affect our fellow man, as well as being ethical in our social lives and activities.
in me", have in some ways power invested in them by God, not only to
Forgiveness is virtue, and yet it is one the most vital and toughest emotions to give or receive. People tend to remember only the unpleasant and undesirable actions of others or themselves which arise feelings of resentment and of revenge. Forgiveness is overcoming these feelings and instead to feel acceptance. Forgiveness allows people to live without hard feelings towards one another and allows us to clear our minds of blame, hate, anger, and other unpleasant emotions.
This essay will examine the threat of relativism. Relativism is an attitude which states that every culture has its own definition of right and wrong and that people outside of that culture have no right to judge or interfere with the established practices no matter what they may be. Relativism implies that there is no universal standard for right and wrong. This is a threat because it allows its prescribers to stand idly by as moral atrocities are conducted within a society all the while maintaining a clear
Waking up in the morning, looking in the mirror, I realize how much I care about what other people think of me even if I try not to. Judgement itself isn’t a bad thing because it helps us choose between right or wrong; good or evil; fair or unjust, but there is a branch of judgment that we could do without, discrimination. Discrimination is a poison killing whatever it touches; giving us false power over those around us. We all deal with discrimination, whether we are on the receiving end, or the cause. Nothing good ever comes from it, so why do we continue to be participants?
‘Moral judgments are nothing more than expressions of personal preference. While there is some point to arguing about questions of fact, moral arguments are a waste of time. The only thing at issue is what people like or don’t like’. I have probably read this statement about a million times and still do not have any qualms against it. Moral judgments are typically based on your upbringing, your likes, your religion (or non-religion), and numerous other aspects that make up your personality. Those listed traits and further attributions give you the basis of what you are going to feel morally to many issues such as: homosexuality, abortion, murder, stealing, etc. While many of us feel that we are always precise when making a judgment, this paper will show that no matter how hard we try; the above statement will always be true.
Forgiveness is the act of releasing an offender of any wrong or hurt they may have caused you whether they deserve it or not. It is a decision to let go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group of people. When we choose to forgive, we’re wiping the slate clean, cancelling a debt, or as I love to say, “Letting it go.” In the Bible, the Greek word for forgiveness literally means to “let it go.” This concept, “forgiveness,” is easier said than done. Majority of people find it very difficult to let go of offenses and hurts caused by others. I really do believe that most people desire to let it go, but we lack the knowledge of how to do it. As believers, we are instructed by God maintain an attitude of forgiveness.