“His form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it; he was often observed, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain” (Hawthorne, 2005, p. 82).
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As a recurring motif in The Grapes of Wrath, sickness frequently foreshadowed the suffrage or death of a character. In light of this, What do you think Dimmesdale’s sickness represents? Is this illness an indication of more than pent up guilt?
I believe that Dimmesdales sickness is emblematic of guilt. He balled up all of his secrets and past shames. He physically and mentally beats himself up for his past mistakes. He also feels guilty because people look up to him as being the best minister there is but, little do they know that he committed adultery with Hester Prynne. That's why he created his own scarlet letter. But, it is hidden from the world to see. He is more worried about how others would think of him and especially his family.
ReplyDeleteYeah I also think Dimmesdale sickness is caused by his guilt and it is like his punishment for hiding his sin. He probably sees Hester and his daughter and wishes he could be as free as them. Having to maintain his image as holy priest in front of the haughty townspeople , when he is being eaten up inside by his sins, is also what is making him sick. His physical mien, is a representation of how he feels on the inside. Just like Roger Chillingworth looks misshapen, because of his obsession with getting revenge. Dimmesdale's soul is pouring out his deep sorrow and guilt on his physical frame.
ReplyDeleteI beleive that Dimmesdale's illness sybolizes guilt. Dimmesdale is an idol to his congergation. If Dimmesdale shows a flagrant behavior his congergation wont trust him and will think all his sermons were lies. Which will break the church apart.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that his illness symbolizes his guilt of his sins, hiding the scarlet letter and that he is an idol in the community.
DeleteI believe that Dimmesdale's illness is more than just guilt because as he is trying to release his secret, he is also trying to show the other ministers that he is as human as they are and he is the worst of all sinners.
ReplyDeleteHis sickness eats away his life. The more he hides within him the more his secrets will drag him closer to death. His sins eat at him day by day as he doesn't confess to at least someone.
ReplyDeletetotally agree, because as the guilt builds its just growing inside. as it grows its eating him alive just like you said.
DeleteI think Dimmesdale's sickness is symbolic for guilt. He feels guilty for committing adultery, deceiving his congregation and leaving Hester to suffer the public disgrace alone. Slowly all this weight he bears on his heart is being portrayed on his body. He gets sicker everyday as he continues to live his lie. The only remedy to his illness is to own up to his sins and face their consequences.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I also believe that. However, I believe that Dimmesdale is too much of a coward to come clean and own up to what he did.
DeleteFor sure, the sickness that Dimmesdale is obtaining is emblematic for guilt. He feels this way because he's letting it grow deep in him. Holding this type of situation can lead to serious depression or even stress as we progressively see with him. As what Uzorchi said in her comment, the only medicine that will help him now, is to tell everyone the truth that they deserve. By doing this, the guilt will pass, HOWEVER, he will be cursed and seen as a heathenish man that should bare what Hester Prynne dealt with. Having this in mind, would you really want to confess?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pamela Arthur Dimmesdale is a coward and I believe that he is just going to keep his secret in the dark until the day he dies.
ReplyDelete