Scarlet Letter Guilt and Confession Essay Example

embellished with a large red letter A intricately embroidered with gold thread. Facing guilt head-on is just one of the many ways individuals may use to deal with feelings of guilt.

"The other man," known as Dimmesdale, is the person Hester had an affair with. This led to her standing on the scaffold with a baby and a scarlet letter on her breast. Only Hester and Dimmesdale knew about their involvement, with Hester refusing to reveal his identity despite Dimmesdale's pleas. The suggestion is made that it would be better for Dimmesdale to publicly confess his guilt, even if it means standing beside Hester on the scaffold, rather than keeping a guilty heart concealed forever. "(26).

Dimmesdale, the impoverished and wretched man, desperately wished to share Hester's punishment but was incapable of confessing his sins publicly. Consequently, guilt gradually consumed him, affecting both his mind and body. Dimmesdale questioned whether it was appropriate for someone as feeble as himself to bear the weight of their wrongdoing. He believed that only those with indomitable spirits could withstand guilt or defy it through sheer strength and noble intentions. Concealing guilt and keeping it hidden provided an alternate approach, yet for Dimmsdale, this method carried consequences. In contrast, Hester dealt with her guilt and its repercussions through various means.

Hester coped with her situation by practicing needlework to benefit others. She found immense satisfaction in this delicate task, which women particularly appreciate. Wearing the "A" on her chest subjected Hester to judgment from everyone she encountered, including men, women, and even children. Despite enduring this torment and animosity, Hester's true character eventually shone through, allowing

people to witness who she truly was beneath the scarlet letter.

She had wandered in a moral wilderness, without rule or guidance, just like the vast and intricate untamed forest. In the midst of the gloom of the forest, they held a important conversation that would determine their fate. " (2). Hester's hardships taught her valuable life lessons, leading her to become a saint-like figure who aided women with their problems once people recognized her as a good and honest woman. As a result, she left the town behind, along with all her troubles and memories. Towards the end of the novel, Dimmesdale's guilt becomes overwhelming.

The reason for my increased guilt is the praise I receive from the public, who I am lying to. The only thing that provides momentary relief is being with Hester and Pearl on the scaffold. When he joins them, he feels a rush of new life entering his heart and coursing through his veins, as if the mother and child are sharing their vitality with him. The three of them create an electric connection. "(17).

After enduring guilt for a long time, Dimmesdale eventually reached his breaking point and confessed the secret he had desperately wanted to reveal. He murmured, "Isn't this better than what we dreamed of in the forest?" In response, she hastily replied, "I don't know! I don't know!" Dimmesdale added, "Better? Yes; so we can all die together, including little Pearl!" (18). Despite the torturous nature of keeping his secret, when Dimmesdale finally confessed it, his body and mind could no longer handle the weight and he died. This demonstrates that suppressing

guilt ultimately leads to one outcome - death. Thus, guilt and confession are deeply intertwined.

Confession is important in preventing guilt from consuming and weakening one's sense of self. Both Hester and Dimmesdale experienced guilt, but Hester's direct approach empowered her while Dimmesdale's indirect method drained him of vitality. Guilt is a persistent emotion that cannot be erased despite efforts to forget it. The only effective way to eliminate this feeling is through confession and remembrance, preferably sooner rather than later.