While one might argue that Hester Prynne is the one who, due to the public shaming by the community, suffers most in Nathanial Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, I claim that on the basis of Reformed theology, which marks the foundation of Puritan doctrine, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale proves to be the predominantly suffering protagonist in the novel.
In order to validate my thesis, I will structure the term paper as follows: In the first section, I will briefly outline the spiritual background of seventeenth-century Puritanism in America and elaborate its main doctrines concerning the sin of adultery and the doctrines of repentance and confession.
This will be done by means of the number one authority of the Puritans at that time, namely the King James Bible. In this context, I am going to consult the Institutes of the Christian Religion by the French Reformer John Calvin, which function as another basis of Puritan doctrine. In the second section, I will analyze Dimmesdale’s bad conscience and how as a result, his ministry as a preacher tortures him. The third section will deal with the influence Hester Prynne’s husband, Roger Chillingworth, has on Dimmesdale’s suffering, while the fourth section will be concisely devoted to Hester Prynne’s suffering. I will conclude this paper by summarizing the arguments throughout the different sections supporting my thesis statement.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Settings and Spiritual Context
3. Dimmesdale’s Decline
4. Hester’s and Dimmesdale’s Suffering
5. Conclusion
6. Works Cited
Objectives and Topics
This term paper explores the psychological and spiritual suffering of the character Arthur Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," arguing that his refusal to publicly confess his sin makes him the novel's primary suffering figure according to Reformed theology.
- Puritan doctrine concerning adultery and the necessity of repentance.
- The psychological impact of unconfessed sin on the individual conscience.
- The influence of Roger Chillingworth as a destructive force in Dimmesdale’s life.
- Comparative analysis of the suffering experienced by Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale.
- The theological conflict between public reputation and private guilt.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Dimmesdale’s Decline
In Nathanael Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, the minister Arthur Dimmesdale relishes a very good reputation with the people of the community. Many times, the people speak of him as of their “godly pastor” and as of a “God-fearing gentleman” (Hawthorne 40). Moreover, they even call the young clergyman “a miracle of holiness” (Hawthorne 107). In the opening pages of the novel, which is set during the time of Hester Prynne’s public conviction, there is no indication given by the author that the reverend has dealt with any kind of suffering because of his ministry. However, as time goes by, his outward appearance changes drastically, which causes his congregation to worry about his health. “With every successive Sabbath, his cheek was paler and thinner, and his voice more tremulous than before”, yet his flock seems to feel more and more appreciation towards their pastor, because in their opinion, his sermons were passionate and striking (Hawthorne 91). As Hawthorne illustrates, it is “this very burden . . . that gave him sympathies so intimate with the sinful brotherhood of mankind” (107). In fact, because of his adultery with Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale himself experiences the devastating consequences of sin and could therefore preach about it as a severe reality. While his fame and good reputation in the colony increases because of his preaching, the reverend mourns the burden of his ministry.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the thesis that Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is the predominantly suffering protagonist in the novel based on the framework of Reformed theology.
2. Settings and Spiritual Context: This section outlines the spiritual background of 17th-century Puritanism, focusing on doctrines of adultery, repentance, and the necessity of confession.
3. Dimmesdale’s Decline: This chapter analyzes Dimmesdale’s worsening mental and physical state resulting from his guilty conscience and the burden of his unconfessed sin.
4. Hester’s and Dimmesdale’s Suffering: This section compares the public shaming endured by Hester Prynne with the private, internal torment of Dimmesdale, concluding that the latter’s suffering is more severe.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the theological arguments presented and suggests that Dimmesdale’s internal sorrow confirms his status as the primary suffering character.
6. Works Cited: This section lists the primary and secondary literature used to support the paper's analysis.
Keywords
Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester Prynne, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Puritanism, Reformed theology, Repentance, Confession, Guilt, Adultery, Conscience, Suffering, Roger Chillingworth, Calvinism, Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the character Arthur Dimmesdale from "The Scarlet Letter" and explores how his hidden sin causes profound spiritual and psychological suffering when evaluated through the lens of Puritan theology.
What are the central themes explored in the text?
The central themes include the interplay between public and private sin, the Puritan necessity for confession, the nature of guilt, and the contrast between visible and internal suffering.
What is the main thesis of the research?
The author argues that while Hester Prynne faces visible public shaming, Arthur Dimmesdale suffers more intensely as a result of his unconfessed sin and his inability to reconcile his internal guilt with his public reputation.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a theological and literary analysis, incorporating Puritan doctrines and writings by John Calvin to interpret the moral and spiritual dilemmas presented in Hawthorne's fiction.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the spiritual expectations of the Puritan community, the specific nature of Dimmesdale's physical and mental decline, the role of Roger Chillingworth as an antagonist, and a comparative study of the main protagonists' suffering.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Arthur Dimmesdale, Puritanism, Reformed theology, guilt, confession, and the novel The Scarlet Letter.
How does Roger Chillingworth contribute to the protagonist's suffering?
Chillingworth is depicted as a demonic influence who actively torments Dimmesdale, acting as a constant, painful reminder of the minister's unconfessed sin.
Why does the author consider Dimmesdale’s burden more severe than Hester's?
The author argues that because Hester’s sin was publicly revealed and she had the opportunity to integrate into society, her path to healing was easier compared to Dimmesdale, who lived in constant hypocrisy, leading to increasing mental illness.
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- John Kirsch (Autor:in), 2020, The Unconfessed Sin. Arthur Dimmesdale’s Guilt and Suffering, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1060155
