Why does Dimmesdale keep his secret?
In The Scarlet Letter, what are some of the reasons why Dimmesdale conceals his sin from everyone in the community for seven years? Dimmesdale conceals his sin for two main reasons. First, he lacks the strength to confess. We can see this by the fact that he has to lean on Hester, begging her to think for him.
What sins did Hester Prynne commit?
Hester Prynne’s sin was adultery. This sin was regarded very seriously by the Puritans, and was often punished by death. Hester’s punishment was to endure a public shaming on a scaffold for three hours and wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest for the rest of her life in the town.
What happens in chapter 17 of the scarlet letter?
Summary—Chapter 17: The Pastor and His Parishioner They join hands and sit in a secluded spot near a brook. Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband. Hester, unable to bear his harsh words, pulls him to her chest and buries his face in the scarlet letter as she begs his pardon.
How did Hester’s sin affect her?
In conclusion one finds that the exposed sin of Hester caused extreme social isolation, where only time and effort can get her assimilated back into society. The hidden sin in Roger Chillingworth’s life caused him to go mad, and become satanic. Arthur Dimmesdale’s hidden sin ended up killing him.
Why won’t Dimmesdale confess despite his suffering?
Arthur Dimmesdale did not confess his sins for all the wrong reasons. He didn’t confess for mostly two reasons those being: his belief that man did not judge other men but only God can do that or that he will better serve his people with a sinful heart and not a sinful appearance.
What has happened to Hester’s appearance?
How has Hester’s appearance changed? She had become sever and austere in her appearance. Choose the statement that most accurately describes this change as Hester sees it. Because of Chillingworth’s vengeful actions toward Dimmesdale, he has brought himself lower, while she has been strengthened.
Why does Hester not reveal the father?
Hester keeps secret the name of her illegitimate child’s father (Reverend Dimmesdale) and the true identity of Roger Chillingworth (her husband). She will not reveal Pearl’s father to protect Reverend Dimmesdale’s reputation, as he is the minister of the church.
Why does Pearl say she was plucked from a rosebush?
Pearl’s response is indicative that, like the prison rose bush,she, too, is a symbol of passion. In fact, she is more symbol than human until the events of Chapter XXIII bring her fully into the world of humanity as Dimmesdale beckons her onto the scaffold, ‘Dear little Pearl, wilt thou kiss me now?
Who is Hester’s daughter?
daughter Pearl
How does Hester die?
Dimmesdale, leaving the church after his sermon, sees Hester and Pearl standing before the town scaffold. He impulsively mounts the scaffold with his lover and his daughter, and confesses publicly, exposing a scarlet letter seared into the flesh of his chest. When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale.
What does Hester do with her spare money?
She gives away all her spare money to the poor, on people who actually have more than she does. She also makes garments for the poor, and her charity is perhaps a form of penance for her sins. Besides using the money she earns as a seamstress to support herself and Pearl, Hester also uses it to help the poor.
Why does Hester take off the scarlet letter?
For Hester, to remove the scarlet letter would be to acknowledge the power it has in determining who she is. Hester chooses to continue to wear the letter because she is determined to transform its meaning through her actions and her own self-perception—she wants to be the one who controls its meaning.
How does Hester earn her living what can’t she do?
How does Hester’s character evolve? She makes her living by sewing for the townspeople. She gives the money she earns to the poor. She becomes strong, compassionate and loving.
Why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?
What is Dimmesdale’s idosyncratic gesture? He puts his hand over his heart to “cover” up his guilt and pain for not admitting to the sin he committed. He’s trying to hold himself back from not exposing himself.
What did Hester Prynne do wrong?
Fictional character overview Because Hester has no husband with her, she is imprisoned, convicted of the crime of adultery, and sentenced to be forced to wear a prominent scarlet letter ‘A’ for the rest of her life.
What know I of the minister’s heart?
What know I of the minister’s heart? And as for the scarlet letter, I wear it for the sake of its gold thread!” And as for the scarlet letter, I wear it for the sake of its gold thread!” In all the seven bygone years, Hester Prynne had never before been false to the symbol on her bosom.