Dimmesdale's Guilt

In Hawthorne's masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne creates a world dictated by sin, and the resulting guilt impacts each character. Hester Prynne, a woman with no husband for support, is publicly shamed, yet she sheds no tears. Guilt has not taken over her life. Hester is able to accept the sin she has committed, and embrace the torture from her sin. 

Hester's example of bravery is a stark contrast to Dimmesdale's pitiful cowardice. Dimmesdale avoids his responsibility of taking care of his child and sharing the blame with Hester. Not only is he avoiding support of Hester, but he has also committed a crime against God. As a clergyman, Dimmesdale is well aware of God's views toward sinners. When there is guilt from abandonment coupled with guilt from betraying his won faith, Dimmesdale will begin to fall apart in one way or another. As a result, his body slowly deteriorates into a pale, sick mess. As he grows more ill, the townspeople see him as even more holy. In order to stop his guilt from lying to his city, Dimmesdale would need to tell his congregation of his lie. Instead, he does not deliver any words because he is a coward. Guilt has taken over his life, and his lack of bravery fights his desire to embrace his sin. Because of his inability to display his sin, Dimmesdale actually envies Hester. This is shown by Dimmesdale going to the scaffold late at night. He wouldn't dare go in the middle of the day surrounded by hundreds of people because he is such a coward. He is a sinner in the eyes of God and a coward to his own.