Dimmesdale's Suffering In Scarlet Letter
Unfortunately for Dimmesdale, he is unable to escape the unbearable suffering of his shame and does not find it as enlightening as Hester does. Dimmesdale cannot express the truth regarding his actions with Hester and that silence is more shameful than any punishment she receives (Kilborne 473). Hawthorne describes Dimmesdale’s life as:
Unspeakable misery of a life so false as his, that it steals the pith and substance out of whatever realities there are around us, and which were meant by Heaven to be the spirit’s joy and nutriment. To the untrue man, the whole universe is false,—it is impalpable,—it shrinks to nothing within his grasp. And he himself, in so far as he shows himself in a false light, becomes a shadow, or, indeed, ceases to exist. …show more content…
Arthur wishes to have his shame displayed as Hester’s is and even says to her:
Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret! Thou little knowest what a relief it is after the torment of seven years’ cheat, to look into an eye that recognizes me for what I am! Had I one friend, or were it my worst enemy, to whom, when sickened with the praises of all other men, I could daily betake myself, and be known as the vilest of all sinners, methinks my soul might keep itself alive thereby. Even thus much of truth would save me! But now all is falsehood!—all emptiness!—all death!” (Hawthorne)
Here his Ego is jealous that Hester is finding mental stability in this difficult situation while he is left to “silently, but surely suffocate [his] sense of self” (Kilborne 474). Dimmesdale’s Superego condemns him for hiding, but his Ego wants the attention and adoration of the townspeople, insuring his silence. He hates himself for being a liar to his parishioners, but more than that her hate being absent from Hester and Pearl’s lives as they bear brutality (Kilborne
Unspeakable misery of a life so false as his, that it steals the pith and substance out of whatever realities there are around us, and which were meant by Heaven to be the spirit’s joy and nutriment. To the untrue man, the whole universe is false,—it is impalpable,—it shrinks to nothing within his grasp. And he himself, in so far as he shows himself in a false light, becomes a shadow, or, indeed, ceases to exist. …show more content…
Arthur wishes to have his shame displayed as Hester’s is and even says to her:
Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret! Thou little knowest what a relief it is after the torment of seven years’ cheat, to look into an eye that recognizes me for what I am! Had I one friend, or were it my worst enemy, to whom, when sickened with the praises of all other men, I could daily betake myself, and be known as the vilest of all sinners, methinks my soul might keep itself alive thereby. Even thus much of truth would save me! But now all is falsehood!—all emptiness!—all death!” (Hawthorne)
Here his Ego is jealous that Hester is finding mental stability in this difficult situation while he is left to “silently, but surely suffocate [his] sense of self” (Kilborne 474). Dimmesdale’s Superego condemns him for hiding, but his Ego wants the attention and adoration of the townspeople, insuring his silence. He hates himself for being a liar to his parishioners, but more than that her hate being absent from Hester and Pearl’s lives as they bear brutality (Kilborne