What does Dimmesdale confess to the crowd?

Supported by Hester and Pearl, Dimmesdale turns to the crowd and announces that he is guilty of the same sin for which they have punished Hester. As Chillingworth looks on in despair, Dimmesdale tears away his clothing to reveal a scarlet letter carved into his breast.

Does Dimmesdale want to confess what he was?

Arthur Dimmesdale’s sin was the same as Hester’s, except he never confessed. “As God’s servant, it is his nature to tell the truth, so the years of pretending and hypocrisy were especially hard on him.” (Bloom 28) Dimmesdale also believes that his sin has taken the meaning out of his life.

When did Dimmesdale confess?

But there stood one in the midst of you, at whose brand of sin and infamy ye have not shuddered!” Thus, in Chapter XXIII, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale confesses his sin as he opens his vestment and reveals the A, the mark above his heart.

Why does Dimmesdale confess?

Dimmesdale knew that in order to redeem, he would need to part with the person he ‘violated reverence’ with, his guilt could not continue with Hester because he would be corrupt. The manhood he embodied was that of a innocent soul, and confessing his sin for God proved him to be an honest man.

Does Chillingworth want Dimmesdale to confess?

The only hold that Chillingworth has over Dimmesdale is his hidden guilt and sin. Chillingworth knows that if Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl, revealing the truth to the town, Chillingworth will lose his hold on Dimmesdale. This is why shortly after Dimmesdale dies Chillingworth dies.

How does Dimmesdale try to repent for his sins?

To relieve his guilt, Dimmesdale punishes himself in several ways. He goes without food and sleep for long periods of time, and he also whips himself on his back, causing cuts and bleeding. These attempts to atone for his sins do not work.

Does Dimmesdale actually confess?

Pearl acquires a father, Dimmesdale finally confesses, and Chillingworth definitively loses his chance for revenge.

What does Chillingworth see when Dimmesdale is asleep?

One day, not long afterward, Chillingworth finds Dimmesdale asleep in a chair. Pulling aside the minister’s vestment, he stares at the clergyman’s chest. What he sees there causes “a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror,” and he does a spontaneous dance of ecstasy.

What does Chillingworth do while Dimmesdale is sleeping?

One day when Dimmsdale is asleep, Chillingworth sneaks over to him and pushes his shirt aside. He then sees a mark on the man’s chest. He is thrilled to find what he has been looking for all this time. Now that Chillingworth has the prove that Dimmsdale is the father of Pearl, he can plan his revenge on Dimmsdale.

Who is Reverend Dimmesdale in the Scarlet Letter?

In the Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Reverend Dimmesdale commits adultery with Hester Prynne, and so she bears a child. Dimmesdale does not admit his sin to the people in the community.

How did Dimmesdale punish himself for his sins?

However he did punish himself and believed that this was sufficient to balance out the sin. Dimmedale often punished himself in the form of vigils. They usually took place at night, in a secret closet. The punishments included whipping himself with a scourge and rigorous fasting – to the point that his knees trembled.

Why was Dimmesdale a weak man in Hawthorne?

” (Hawthorne, 99) Little did they know of his purport and the truth. Dimmesdale was a weak man because he didn’t have the courage to admit his sin. He was also selfish and hypocritical. He let Hester carry the burden of shame that is customary when a sin is revealed while he basked in the glory and praise of the townspeople.

What was Arthur Dimmesdale’s reputation as a minister?

As a minister, Dimmesdale must be above reproach, and there is no question that he excels at his profession and enjoys a reputation among his congregation and other ministers. His soul aside, he does do good works.