Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter portrays the effects that sin and ignominy have on soul how one finds redemption. In 1600s Puritan town of Boston Massachusetts moral uprightness was extremely important in community. A married woman who has not seen her husband years commits adultery a baby. This Hester Prynne is given scarlet letter to wear which signifies adultery. socially cast out condemned for sin. unknown father revealed be Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmsdale unanimously viewed as righteous man contrasting with Dimmsdale's internal guilty conscious. clash between public view self perception results spiritual physical deterioration. Hawthorne depicts concealment result pride causes loss self only redeemable through confession. decision conceal his Dimmesdales fear broken reputation. While Prynne stands shamefully front crowd upon scaffold baby arms clergy man urges Dimmesdale get identity from Hester. At this moment could confess he will name. Instead says “If thou feelist it thy soul’s peace earthly punishment thereby made more effectual salvation I charge thee speak name fellow sinner sufferer!” (Hawthorne 16-17). gives choice way phrases speech. He makes sure knows she can remain quiet. addition mentions father himself sufferer. does make these two points sake Hester although may seem like at first. reality keep truth concealed because afraid what would happen himself reputation should community find father. same event mentioned before saw people talked about It clear judgmental were woman. Dimmesdale knowing “might then invested almost stern dignity death itself” sacrifice do right (4). There no doubt fully aware by revealing or letting reveal punished never again Boston. fears image being destroyed. primarily concerned own success rather than upholding doing whatr correct. fact very keeping in hurts himself. first example brought Prynne’s mysterious husband. goes Roger Chillingworth town’s new physician. responsibility treating now declining discussion exclaims “Then plainly . crave pardon sir require needful plainness my Let me ask your friend having charge under Providence life well being hath all operations disorder been fairly laid open recounted me?” (70). decide sin says him healing. alternative continue concealing secret protecting others him. Ultimately rejects claim hides anything saying “How you question it? Surely child's play call physician hide sore?” By saying this acknowledges if hiding deteriorate health but anyway. perfectly fine sacrificing health order perceived good Reverend. loosing situation matter experience pain. Whether pain comes social career guilt suffer oblivious fact. reveals priority correctness. certainly showing immense emotional even though wrong generally person strives follower God. As religious leader telling deceiving others betrays principles teaches congregation. knowledge builds into destroys within. author notes “It inconceivable agony veneration tortures genuine impulse adore truth reckon things shadow-like utterly devoid weight value had its divine essence within their life.” (77). constrained choices makes. let overcome him remove guilt. Behind pride wants transparent trust Desiring relieve guilt “More once Mr. gone pulpit purpose come down steps until spoken words above” clearly tell satisfaction longer any while also career. However effort congregation praises humble was increased Dimmesdale’s Dimmesdale's attempted solutions mental self. Throughout entire struggle dealing tries way. That without publicly confessing describes process self-punishment “He kept vigils likewise night after night sometimes utter darkness glimmering lamp sometimes viewing face looking-glass most powerful light throw it. thus typified constant introspection wherewith tortured purify himself.” (78). Later meeting forest away public. questions found peace replies “None–nothing despair answered! What else look for am leading such mine?” (116). His exclamation shows recognition efforts failed. Then meeting agrees leave Boston start over again. Out hope future cries “Methought germ dead me! Oh art better angel! flung myself–sick stained sorrow-blackened– leaves risen up anew powers glorify Him merciful!” (125). implies old completely unholy new. incorrect say plan run realized. broken. amount stress induced harm experiences leads death. aftermath sermon gave election day appearing pale feeble falls ground. calls child Pearl scaffold. dying moments “Let plain before sight. For am man. So haste take shame me!” (166). tells awestruck takes just dies rests forever. final words decides thing able last several years. unconcealing overcomes Letter portrayed trapped prideful ambition constantly haunts Because refused go secret inner turmoil. state suffering character. argues substitute restoration truth. redeemed abandoning pursuing honesty.