“But this very burden it was that gave him sympathies so intimate with the sinful brotherhood of mankind, so that his heart vibrated in unison with theirs, and received their pain into itself, and sent its own throb of pain through a thousand other hearts, in gushes of sad, persuasive eloquence.” (129)
Dimmesdale’s sin is burning inside himself. He wants to tell so badly, but he cannot. If he confesses, everything he stands for will be disregarded. When Dimmesdale discusses his sins in his sermons, the people believe he is holier. Since everyone believes Dimmesdale is just being humble, he feels guiltier. Dimmesdale is tortured and his attempts to be honest fail, “He had spoken the truth, and transformed it into the veriest falsehood” (131). Even if Dimmesdale does confess, the people will not believe him.
“Then, and there, before the judgment-seat, thy mother, and thou, and I must stand together. But the daylight of this world shall not see our meeting!” (139)
Dimmesdale is seeking forgiveness by standing on the scaffold where Hester and Pearl stand every day. Through engaging with them in their punishment, Dimmesdale hopes he will be freed from his guilt. Pearl hopes that Dimmesdale will confess soon, and stand with them every day. He has to wait until, “the great judgment day” before he can confess. On that day, God will be his final judge, and until then, no one can know.
Questions:
Do Dimmesdale's visions of the scarlet letter mean he will confess soon?
How did the letter A appear in the sky?
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