Self-Delusion in The Scarlet Letter

Hester is disillusioned by the fact that she thinks her punishment and the burdens of her punishment will evaporate along with the removal of The Scarlet Letter. She feels as if she has done her share of penance. Hester asks Dimmesdale why they should "linger upon [the sin] now when "[she] could undo it all" She believes that they should not dwell on their sin and that the sin can be obliterated by literally ripping off the Letter. Hester also believes that she can "undo it all" by removing the Letter off her chest. The situation stated here shows that her delusion gives way to the misleading on her part. After removing the Letter, Hester feels "exquisite relief," a feeling that she had not "known the weight." Hester feels as if a burden is lifted from her shoulders; this is her freedom. But more importantly, Hester neglects the fact that The Scarlet Letter burdens her

conscience as well. Materially, the Letter is an article of clothing for punishment and can be removed from the body physically, but not mentally. The "other" form of penance, however, is physically intangible; it cannot be cast off her conscience. Therefore, her removal of The Scarlet Letter has compelled Hester to believe that she can live without obligation to her punishment by taking it off. And this self-delusion misleads her to not think realistically, and not fully understand that she cannot get rid of her sin or the punishment from her conscience.

Dimmesdale is revealed to be caught up in Hester's vision, reflected in his reaction to the release and purge of his sin and penance. He is thankful of Hester for aiding him in his transmutation from gloom in to one of happiness. After feeling pardoned by society according to Hester, Dimmesdale feels "a glow of strange enjoyment" that had an "exhilarating effect" on him. He feels as if he is finally free from his torment of sin. Beforehand, Dimmesdale never experiences such elation; he had only known torment and anguish. But now a "free atmosphere" envelops Dimmesdale. He thinks that he can now live free of his penance; his reaction shows his child-like desire to be free from his penance. Dim

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