The Scarlet Letter
...of the story. In particular,
the young minister Dimmesdale, who commits adultery with
Hester, greatly changes. He is the moral blossom of the
book, the character that makes the most progress for the
better.
It is true that Dimmesdale, being a minister, should be the
role model of the townspeople. He is the last person who
should commit such an awful crime and lie about it, but in the
end, he confesses to the town. Besides, everybody,
including ministers, sin, and the fact that he confesses
illustrates his courage and morality.
Hester and Dimmesdale's affair goes undiscovered until
Hester is pregnant and bears a child without having her
husband present. As her punishment, Hester is forced to
stand on the scaffold in the middle of the market place, with
an A on her chest. Dimmesdale has not told a single person
that he is the adulterer. He sits in the balcony with the
Governor, a judge, a general, and the rest of the ministers,
watching the display, without any expression or emotion.
Hester and Pearl go to the Governor's home to deliver a
pair of gloves, but more importantly to inquire about the
possibility of the government taking away her child. Also
there with Governor Bellingham are Pastor Wilson,
Reverend Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth. After Mr.
Wilson asks Pearl a few questions, the Governor decides
that Hester is unfit as a mother and that the child would be
better off in the hands of the church. Hester begs
Dimmesdale, whom she says knows everything about her
...
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