A Coward?

We all seem to be calling Dimmesdale a coward and that he should just tell everyone and get it over with. However put yourself in his shoes. If you had a secret, such as his, would you tell everyone that you did something horrible? In a community such as theirs, the role he plays in this community.

Pointing Fingers

Who or what do you think is to blame for Dimmesdale's predicament?  Hester, the Puritan community, Chillingworth or himself? Or do you think everyone had a part to play?

Dimmesdale's Guilt

Taking it as though everyone read chapter 17, The Pastor and His Parishioner, What do you guys think of Hester's plan? Do you believe that it will benefit Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl if they leave? What do you think will happen if they do leave? Will Chillingworth keep their secret?

Why on the heart?

"To Hester's eye, the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale exhibited no symptom of positive vivacious suffering, except that, as little Pearl had remarked, he kept his hand over his heart" (Hawthorne, 2005, p.129).

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Thinking about this quote, why do you suppose that Mr. Dimmesdale's scarlet letter is placed on his heart? What is emblematic of the heart? Explain.

Guilt, Death, or Confession?

“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?

Scarlet letter

We as humans have such high standard for our leaders, parents, and authority that when they dont meet our standard we get hurt by it.

My favorite quote in Chapter 9 was when Roger Chillingworth and Reverend Dimmesdale were conversing and the Dimmesdale states,' " I could be well content, that my labors, and my sorrows, and my sins, and my pains, should shortly end with me, and what is earthly of them be buried in my grave, and the spiritual go with me to my eternal state, rather than that you should put your skill to the proof in my behalf" '(100). I find this statement quite strong because he truly knows that if he dies all his secrets and hidden pain will go with him and be terminated for good. What is your guy's opinion on this quote!