Sin of Concealment in the Scarlet Letter Essay Example

explore how the human soul responds under intense pressure. This depiction of society struck a chord with readers globally and contributed to the book's success. The work is abundant in hidden truths and enigmas that encourage contemplation on whether it is right to keep information concealed or if transparency should always be favored. While it may be customary for individuals to maintain privacy, there are situations where it may be necessary to shield sensitive matters from unwanted scrutiny for everyone's benefit.

The debate about the worth of keeping secrets hidden is a common one, with some advocating for their disclosure while others disagree. The book, The Scarlet Letter, serves as an example of how revealing a secret can cause great suffering. Nevertheless, it is also suggested that certain truths cannot remain hidden forever and may be best disclosed to ease one's burden. This article examines whether concealing the truth should be deemed a sin and argues that in particular situations, hiding the truth could actually benefit society and therefore cannot be considered sinful. Specifically, this analysis will focus on Dimmesdale's situation.

Concealing the truth may sometimes lead to harm for others, making it a sin. For example, Person A borrowed poison from Person B to get rid of rats in their house. The next day, Person B asks for the poison back to use on their own relative in order to inherit their assets. In this situation, Person A is faced with a dilemma of whether to return the poison or lie about having used it all. It would not be fair to judge Person A for lying about not returning the poison as they had already

used it to kill the rats. Therefore, it can be concluded that keeping the truth is not always a sin.

If we take a different scenario, Person C and Person D went hunting together in the forest. Unfortunately, while they were hunting, Person C accidentally killed Person E's cat because they mistook it for a rabbit. Even though Person D believed they were responsible for shooting the cat, it was actually Person C who did it. When confronted by Person E about the incident, Person D admitted to the mistake and confessed that they were responsible for killing the cat.

Person D was punished by Person E because Person C chose to keep quiet and not reveal the truth, illustrating that withholding the truth can be seen as a wrongdoing. Various elements come into play in determining whether keeping the truth is ethical or not, as shown through fictitious scenarios. In essence, whether concealing the truth is justifiable or not depends on the underlying intentions.

The central theme of The Scarlet Letter concerns the concealment of secrets and truths. Hester's decision to keep the identity of her child's father a secret sparks debate about whether hiding such information is morally justifiable. Despite differing opinions on the matter, I believe that certain situations may warrant keeping certain truths hidden.

In my opinion, individuals have the right to keep the truth concealed as long as it does not cause harm. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter illustrates how concealing information can yield varying outcomes. Hester opted not to disclose the truth and ultimately reaped its benefits. Some argue that her honesty and empathetic nature, rather than deceitfulness in remaining silent, contributed

to this outcome.

Chillingworth and Hester's secrets had differing effects. Whereas Hester's secrets brought her some advantages, Chillingworth enjoyed preying on those like Dimmesdale who were unfortunate. Unfortunately, in Dimmesdale's case, the secret harmed him with no benefits gained. Although keeping the secret saved his reputation, it did not ease his conscience until he finally found courage to tell the truth which resulted in a sudden lightness of spirit. Therefore, it can be said that speaking the truth set him free. Nonetheless, despite harming Dimmesdale, withholding truth cannot be deemed as a sin.

Although keeping the truth caused severe harm, it was still Dimmesdale's choice to make and cannot be deemed a sin if he had chosen not to reveal his involvement in the affair. Although his cowardice caused pain for Hester, she too had the option to disclose the truth yet chose not to. Hester may have desired for Dimmesdale to confess for their relationship to progress, but this does not mean her concealment of the truth is sinful. While some may view her as hypocritical, she intended no harm in keeping the secret, so it should not be designated as a sin. On the other hand, Dimmesdale's rejection of the truth and cowardice could be considered sinful. His refusal to acknowledge his child is cruel.

Dimmesdale's concealment of the truth could be viewed as a sin against Hester and their child, but it does not necessarily mean that he sinned against others. In my opinion, asking Hester to reveal the identity of Pearl's father was unnecessary, as it would not have had a significant impact on the people in that time period. Most likely, their

curiosity was instead fueled by a desire to condemn and harm Hester. Thus, I do not believe that Hester's decision to keep the truth from these individuals should be considered a sin. The crowd that shamed her on the platform were hypocrites who judged her without acknowledging their own sins.

I will discuss events in the stories where characters kept the truth hidden, and they will be judged based on the circumstances requiring secrecy. Although withholding truth caused these characters pain, it also imparted a wisdom that could only come from experience. The Scarlet Letter is not just about Hester Prynne; it also analyzed the forces that shaped her and the changes those forces caused. Hester's secrets played a significant role in her transformation and the solitary hardship she endured.

Initially, the story revealed limited information concerning Hester's past affair with Dimmesdale and the resulting societal shame. Despite Hester admitting to not loving her husband Chillingworth, she was still bound to him. The earlier sections of the novel alluded to Hester's impulsive and spirited nature, which was evident in her parents' attempts to curtail her recklessness. Her extramarital affair reinforced this character trait. However, after enduring a trial at the hands of the Puritans, Hester's behavior changed.

Although tempted to reveal the identity of her partner in sin, Hester declined and faced the consequences of her actions alone. Despite promises of leniency, she chose solitude and contemplation over betrayal. The result was isolation from society and an opportunity for reflection on ethical dilemmas. Her courage in withholding the father's name revealed strength and compassion towards her child. Even though she feared losing Pearl, Hester never punished

her severely.

Despite being snubbed and condemned by the poor, Hester took good care of them and worked tirelessly to improve their condition. Her efforts did not go unnoticed, for towards the end of the story the townspeople forgot the true meaning of her scarlet letter. Some even believed the A stood for "able" due to her independence and capability. Hester's admirable qualities earned her the admiration and respect of those around her. In keeping the identity of Pearl's father a secret, Hester became a stronger and better person. Even when Dimmesdale asked her to reveal the truth, Hester refused (Hawthorne, 2004).

Hester chose not to reveal Dimmesdale’s identity because she did not want to betray him out of her love for him, despite his cowardice. She believed that revealing the truth would not bring her any satisfaction or gain anything for her. Instead, she hoped that Dimmesdale would make the decision to confess his own role in the adultery. Hester’s decision ultimately had a positive outcome because she was able to maintain Dimmesdale’s love for her and they were able to attempt to start a new life together with their daughter, Pearl. Revealing the truth herself could have resulted in losing Dimmesdale’s affection and ultimately a worse outcome.

Hester's actions had a significant impact on the outcome, and even if they hadn't, she wouldn't have found satisfaction in jeopardizing Dimmesdale's reputation. In fact, doing so would only add to her conscience's burden. Therefore, instead of condemning Hester for keeping Dimmesdale's paternity a secret, we should admire her strength and courage as a martyr. She demonstrated this bravery when dealing with Chillingworth--her husband and Pearl's father--by refusing

to divulge Pearl's father identity despite his attempts to extract it from her. This act of courage only intensified Dimmesdale's guilt for not sharing their burden.

Dimmesdale asked Hester to give him some of her strength and courage so he could overcome his own doubts, which he faced twice in the forest and once more on Election Day when he had to acknowledge his guilt. Hester's refusal to reveal the truth about Dimmesdale's paternity should not be considered a sin because she didn't have any malicious intentions, and her decision did not cause harm to anyone. She simply wanted to protect Dimmesdale, even though her courage made him feel worse. Ultimately, Hester still loves the minister despite everything.

Despite public perception, Hester is not a dishonest person. In fact, her honesty is evident throughout the story. Although she refused to reveal Pearl's father, this did not make her a liar in any sense. Hester was open about her sins and made genuine efforts to make amends.

Hester, in Chapter 17 The Pastor and his Parishioner, disclosed to Dimmesdale that, except for revealing his identity as Pearl's father, she had been truthful in every aspect. Even in her previous conversation with Chillingworth, she had been honest, affirming that she never pretended to have any affection towards him. Hester also honored her promise to Chillingworth not to divulge that he was indeed her husband and only disclosed the truth when she was released from her vow. Hence, it can be concluded that Hester is an honest individual and her reasons for not revealing the identity of her husband and lover are not intended to harm anyone.

Hester refused to reveal Dimmesdale’s

identity to protect his reputation and Chillingworth’s identity to keep her promise. She believed that disclosing the truth would only lead to further suffering and complexities, especially for Dimmesdale. Hester felt that the events surrounding them should have remained private and not made public. She did not see the point in condemning her in front of the public, who acted hypocritically as if they had never sinned before. The public's desire to witness the suffering of others is why they watched Hester's humiliation. Hester believed that disclosing the truth was not necessary as the sin did not lie with her, but rather with the malicious attitude of the public who had shown an interest in prying into her private life.

Despite the mocking and humiliation she endured, Hester's admirable and noble attitude prevailed. Even after the death of her lover and husband, she rose above her circumstances to become a legend in Boston known for her compassion and honesty, earning widespread respect from those who know her. Meanwhile, Robert Chillingworth's motives for asking Hester to conceal his identity were not rooted in a desire to protect her. Rather, he was not a man concerned with seeking justice for what Hester and Dimmesdale had done and instead sought to feed on his victim.

Chillingworth’s relationship with Dimmesdale, Pearl and Hester is shrouded in secrecy, which only fuels his appetite for others’ grievances. His name reflects his lack of warmth and capacity for caring. His deformed shoulder mirrors his deformed soul. As Hester’s husband, Chillingworth never showed her genuine affection, spending most of his time apart from her. Yet he expected Hester to dote on him when they were

together. His death is symbolic, as it exposes the root of his flawed character.

Chillingworth lost his victim when Dimmesdale died, making him the one who benefited the most from the lies and secrecy. He is known to thrive on the grievances of others. Hester's decision to keep Dimmesdale's fatherhood a secret did not benefit him despite her intention to protect him. As stated earlier, Hester's courage made Dimmesdale appear weak in comparison.

Dimmesdale was struck with a guilty conscience as he observed Hester's struggle to survive alone in a harsh world, all the while keeping his part in their affair undisclosed. On the other hand, Chillingworth remained unscathed by Hester's attempt to hide the truth and derived pleasure from the pain it caused Dimmesdale. This is why he continually preyed on Dimmesdale's tormented soul. When Dimmesdale finally mustered up the courage to confess his wrongdoing, Chillingworth felt as though the life had been sucked out of him. This was because Dimmesdale's admission liberated his own soul and showed him the joy of shedding his burden.

By disclosing the secret, Dimmesdale liberated Hester from Chillingworth’s grasp, leading to the latter’s demise as he lost his prey. Chillingworth truly embodied the most repulsive form of evil, not the sinners Hester and Dimmesdale whom society judged them to be. Seeking revenge, Chillingworth aimed to intentionally bring about harm and suffering to others devoid of any interest in justice. On the other hand, Hester and Dimmesdale’s sins stemmed from love rather than hate as was the case with Chillingworth, thereby differentiating between their actions. Thus, contrasting Chillingworth’s wickedness with that of Hester and Dimmesdale emphasizes that their misdeeds

were not alike.

Inadvertently, Dimmesdale and Hester caused harm to others due to their love for one another. In contrast, Chillingworth's actions were driven by malicious intent and not from a place of love. He deliberately tried to harm others, which makes keeping a secret a sin. Chillingworth acted as Dimmesdale's doctor and knew that his ailment was due to his conscience. Instead of advising him to disclose the truth, Chillingworth exploited Dimmesdale's vulnerability and caused further misery.

One could argue that deliberately withholding truth is a sin, and it is this belief that is relevant to the story of Hester and Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester kept a secret that caused Dimmesdale great suffering, and this torment shaped his outlook on life. It is possible that his compassionate nature towards sinners arose more from his guilty feelings than from his own innate character. At the beginning of the novel, the audience was introduced to some of Dimmesdale's background.

Dimmesdale, a renowned scholar from a university, may have appeared detached and lacking in empathy for ordinary individuals. However, his conscience was activated by Hester's refusal to confess the truth and her insistence in bearing the full weight of their sin's punishment. This persistent attitude of Hester's plagued Dimmesdale's conscience causing him immense mental distress which eventually weakened him physically. However, this experience opened his mind and heart, allowing him to cultivate compassion and better understand others.

Dimmesdale's charismatic speaking abilities and compassionate leadership resulted from his experiences. However, despite his claims of immorality, his congregation interpreted his speeches symbolically rather than acknowledging his personal guilt. This was due in part to his privileged background and tendency towards persuasive language.

Unfortunately, this only heightened Dimmesdale's feelings of guilt and worthlessness.

Dimmesdale's guilt led him to punish himself more severely in private, worsening his physical and spiritual state. Despite this, the citizens held him in even higher regard leading up to his final sermon on Election Day. His death only increased his popularity and many saw his declaration of guilt as a symbolic act, while others saw it as divine judgment. Dimmesdale's fate illustrates the consequences of keeping the truth hidden. (Hawthorne, 2004)

Although Dimmesdale suffered from the deterioration caused by keeping his guilt a secret, he finally experienced a sudden release of his spirit after confessing in front of the people. This secret both harmed and benefited him by allowing him to better relate with others. Whether or not keeping the truth was a sin for Dimmesdale is subject to different interpretations. However, as it did not directly involve other people, it seems unnecessary to consider his secret a sin towards them.

Although it may have given others a false impression of his character, the protagonist did not deliberately set out to mislead anyone, and above all, he did not cause any harm. Some might argue that Chillingworth suffered as a result of Hester's adultery, so their affair could be seen as a sin. However, when it comes to keeping their liaison a secret, I do not believe it can be considered sinful. One reason is that Chillingworth has never shown any concern for anyone other than himself - this is demonstrated by how he neglected his wife and allowed Hester to go to Boston alone. Even when he finally reappeared many years later, he asked Hester to

keep their relationship a secret.

Chillingworth's actions were solely for his own benefit, and as his wife, Hester was aware of this, which is why she chose to keep Dimmesdale's identity from him. Hester likely knew that any knowledge Chillingworth gained would be used to harm those involved rather than for good, meaning her keeping the secret cannot be deemed a sin. As for Dimmesdale, while their affair was a sin, keeping the secret was a separate matter. This is proven by Chillingworth's use of the truth to prey on and cause further suffering to Dimmesdale and others involved. Therefore, I do not see Dimmesdale's decision to keep the truth as a sin.

Chillingworth lacks the capacity for love and instead desires to spread his bitterness onto others, motivated by hate and a desire to harm. While Dimmesdale's secrecy led to his own downfall, it did not harm others, including Hester who understood and accepted his weakness. However, he did sin against Hester and their child Pearl by allowing them to suffer due to his cowardice. Pearl was also affected by Dimmesdale's sin.

Dimmesdale's disavowal of his bond with Pearl may be considered sinful from any angle. In The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is primarily emblematic and her curious disposition aids in uncovering hidden realities for grown-ups and spectators alike. Even though she is young, Pearl demonstrates great acumen and seems to have a better grasp of her father's true self than she reveals. Whether or not Pearl fully comprehends the situation remains unclear, yet her behavior and utterances suggest that she could possess profound insight into the matter.

Pearl's judgment of Dimmesdale is the harshest and most penetrating of

all. Her uncanny perception often leaves people wondering about her true nature. Pearl's observation that Dimmesdale's hand always touches his chest in the same way as Hester's is just one example of her insight. Through Pearl's words and actions, we can better understand that Dimmesdale's concealment of the truth is a sin against Hester and Pearl. Pearl astutely identifies Dimmesdale as the Black Man, suggesting that his avoidance of affection and acknowledgement towards his daughter could be viewed as a form of sin. This highlights how hidden truths can be considered to be sins in certain circumstances. After Dimmesdale admits the truth and dies, Pearl's symbolic role abruptly ends, and she appears more normal than ever before. In conclusion, whether keeping the truth is a sin or not depends on the situation surrounding it.

Within this paper's discussion, I have provided evidence that some motives behind concealing the truth are justifiable and should not be deemed sinful. Nonetheless, there are specific scenarios, such as those involving Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, where hiding the truth could be viewed as a transgression.