Unending Effects of Sin

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, he shows the lasting effect that sin has on Hester and Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne’s guilt is the result of her committing adultery, which in

Hester’s guilt has become very influential in her life making her unable to express herself freely. “Hester Prynne might have repaid them all with a bitter and disdainful smile. But under the leaden infliction which it was her doom to endure, she felt at moments as if she must needs (to) shriek” (Hawthorne 52-53). Hester’s guilt has surfaced fully because when she wants to simply express herself she is prevented from doing so due to her guilty conscience. She wants to take revenge on everyone that has passed judgment on her by giving them a “disdainful smile” (Hawthorne 53), but she is fearful that she might start feeling guilty for doing such a thing. “The crowd was somber and grave” (Hawthorne 52). Hester can’t lash out against the crowd and express her anger because she will feel horrible. What can Hester do now? “She behaves as a sister of mercy in the community because this is the way to live unmolested not because she believes in doing good” (Baym 36). Hester is forced to act with good intentions towards others making it seem like she is not influenced by their opinions. She does this just to avoid confrontations, so she can live her life peacefully as it is already hectic enough (Baym 36). It seems Hester can live without any consequences of sin if she is able to suppress her anger, but as a result it seems that she is actually being slowly isolated from the world (Carton 102). The consequence of Hester’s guilt is becoming very powerful and is masked by another consequence of sin. However, guilt is still the consequence that causes Hester to become isolated from the world around her and it manages to happen without her noticing.

Reverend Dimmesdale’s guilt causes him to develop a series of internal conflicts. Dimmesdale experiences a very unique ordeal, which sets him apart from the rest of the characters in this novel. The lasting effect of guilt that Dimmesdale experiences are not due to external factors, but originate and grow within Dimmesdale himself. Dimmesdale has committed adultery with Hester Prynne and the consequence for his sin is the guilt that becomes an inner pain in him. Reverend Dimmesdale’s struggle to cope with his guilt causes him to do very traumatic things to himself. “Mr. Dimmesdale thus communed with himself, and struck his forehead with his hand” (Hawthorne 217). Dimmesdale has become so enraged with his guilt that he gets violent and induces pain upon himself. “Dimmesdale is living under the severe pain brought on by his inward shame of having sinned in the face of God” (Solomon 1). His guilt has a profound effect on him and prevents him from confessing his sin on the scaffold. The guilt that he experiences is unlike any

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