Dimmesdale's Romanticism
From tragic adventures on the high-seas to nonsensical battles between white settlers and native tribes, romanticism provoked some of the most epic works of American literature. Notable Romantic authors such as James Fenimore Cooper utilized romantic characteristics to develop plot or accentuate the strength of the protagonist. His credibility as a successful romantic author stems from his use of certain romantic characteristics to advance his plot and themes. Nathaniel Hawthorne continues this tradition through his fiction novel The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne’s significant use of prominent romantic characteristics to establish themes and symbols dignify him as a prosperous Romantic author. Like many notorious Romantic authors, Hawthorne utilizes
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Although Dimmesdale acts as an antithesis to how Hawthorne believes one should react to sin, his downfall nevertheless illustrates the ideals set forth. Upon discussing men who died without admitting their sins with the sinister Roger Chillingworth, Dimmesdale makes a claim that, “So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among their fellow-creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow; while their hearts are all speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves”(123). Clearly Dimmesdale reflects on his own actions during this exchange allowing Hawthorne to weave in his idealism by emphasizing on the nefarious way to deal with sin, which is hiding it from humanity. By forcing Dimmesdale to analyze his depraved actions, Hawthorne effectively reveals his unmistakeable idealism. Similarly, Hawthorne further reveals the ideal that one must present their sin in order to purge the torment that afflicts them through Dimmesdale’s admittance of his sin on the scaffold. “God knows; and He is merciful...By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost forever!”(241) Dimmesdale’s praising of God for allowing him to reveal his sin and die upon the scaffold illustrates how Hawthorne believes that redemption only occurs once a transgressor admits the sin. Hawthorne’s integration of his ideal that one must expose wrongdoings in order to live free of agony works effectively because Dimmesdale’s downfall shows the the revelation of this belief as Dimmesdale finally recognizes what he must do to absolve himself from suffering and
Although Dimmesdale acts as an antithesis to how Hawthorne believes one should react to sin, his downfall nevertheless illustrates the ideals set forth. Upon discussing men who died without admitting their sins with the sinister Roger Chillingworth, Dimmesdale makes a claim that, “So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among their fellow-creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow; while their hearts are all speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves”(123). Clearly Dimmesdale reflects on his own actions during this exchange allowing Hawthorne to weave in his idealism by emphasizing on the nefarious way to deal with sin, which is hiding it from humanity. By forcing Dimmesdale to analyze his depraved actions, Hawthorne effectively reveals his unmistakeable idealism. Similarly, Hawthorne further reveals the ideal that one must present their sin in order to purge the torment that afflicts them through Dimmesdale’s admittance of his sin on the scaffold. “God knows; and He is merciful...By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost forever!”(241) Dimmesdale’s praising of God for allowing him to reveal his sin and die upon the scaffold illustrates how Hawthorne believes that redemption only occurs once a transgressor admits the sin. Hawthorne’s integration of his ideal that one must expose wrongdoings in order to live free of agony works effectively because Dimmesdale’s downfall shows the the revelation of this belief as Dimmesdale finally recognizes what he must do to absolve himself from suffering and