Thursday, August 27, 2015
The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale Theory
Basically, in the story so far we have been led to believe that Hester is the protagonist, and events in the story revolve around her. Everything done so far was in relation to Hester. But what if that's not it at all? What if, Hester was simply a result or byproduct of actions taken against another character. What if the leaders, and higher class of the town knew the father the entire time, or atleast discovered it before the story began. What if Hester is Dimmesdale's punishment? At the end of chapter 10, it is revealed that something incriminating is either under the shirt of Dimmesdale's, or physically on his body. Many people believed it to be an A, either as a brand or as a necklace on the reverend. Well what kind of idiot brands an A on himself, asked many people. But its only assumed to be self inflicted. Upon discovery of his actions, the ruling class of townspeople took decisive and private action against Dimmesdale. They branded him, as punishment, and as sadistic torture to remind him for the rest of his life what he's done. Then, to further his torment, they made him responsible for Hester's fate, by choosing him to speak on Hester's behalf when she was up on the scaffold. They knew that Dimmesdale would either be exposed publicly, or forced to watch his precious lover suffer and take on the burden of their combined sin. This is also why they kept Hester alive. Hester's suffering was Dimmesdale's final and most detrimental punishement. He had to watch his lover suffer alone, on a daily basis. All the time, knowing that there was nothing he could do besides join her in her ignominy. Furthering this point, when Dimmesdale screams upon the scaffold in chapter 12, Reverend Wilson walks by. Dimmesdale believes he confessed to Wilson, however Dimmesdale then tells himself it was vision when Wilson walks by seemingly not noticing him. However, could it be Wilson intentionally ignored Dimmesdale? Being aware of the truth, and understanding how insane Dimmesdale's guilt is driving him, he might even be pleased by this. Seeing the incumbent sinner brought to his knees feeble and delirious. For the pain you can inflict on a lone individual slows and numbs over time. But the pain instilled through a loved one's suffering is boundless, and a tender agony; thats potency never fades.
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Congratulations Chris, you just blew my mind with an easter egg of table-turning potential. In suoport of your theory, allow me to mention Chapter 13, and the public's shifting opinion. As Andrew had stated earlier the townspeople are most likely regarding Hester Prynne and the scarlet letter in a more positve light in order to reinforce Hester's near conformist actions within the town ( rewarding her with their approval as long as she does what they view as right). Could it not be possible that another reason for the town's actions are to relay a message to Dimmsdale? Perhaps they are encouraging him to confess his sin to them by showing him that penance can lead to a "proper" Puritanic life, through the transitioning purport of Hester's scarlet letter.
ReplyDeleteThe more people who are in on it, the more influential to the story this would be, if true. So if everyone knew, it would be quite a twist. Especially if Hester had some knowledge of what was going on. If they were to allow Dimmesdale to believe he was becoming insane and paranoid, only to confirm that he was right; that literally everyone in his life was plotting against him. That would be diabolical, and unfathomably sadistic. Also, that would be an incredible example of the transcendentalist values. To have one man become a shell of himself because society believes what he did was wrong. For society to go that far in spite of one man, that would be incredible. It would be so powerful for an author to literally change the entire dynamic of his novel, for the sake of a twist. It's just fascinating; to think everyone is plotting against one man in such a sublte but sinister way. So I agree that it would make sense that everyone knew. If Hawthorne was going to go this route, I believe you would be right that the townspeople would all know.
DeleteSo would Pearl necessarily be the only reason why Dimmesdale is suffering or as we DO NOT KNOW YET if there is another secret he has kept covert?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a horrible ending if the whole town knew that Dimmesdale was a sinner since the beginning for several reasons. First of all, I don't think any religion, even a strict Puritan society, would allow for a child to not be raised by her father. In the previous chapters, the town was not sure if Hester was raising Pearl right, so they wanted to take her away from her mother. If Hawthorne incorporated a plot twist in the ending saying that the society knew all along, then why would they want to take Pearl away? Also, if the town knew for the last seven years, they would have not allowed for Dimmesdale to still be the minister. Maybe in the modern world, yes, but in the strict and repressed Puritan society? I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the the tables turned on Dimmesdale and that he is the main character having been impacted by Hester. I agree that it could have easily been that way as easily as it was portrayed in The Scarlet Letter. I also think that this point of view could also contribute to the punishment that Dimmesdale had to deal with. As told by Pamela, Dimmesdale punishment was self inflicted and known only to himself. I think that the added thought of his lover having to deal with public disgrace was also, in a way, making him suffer.
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