American Literature
should have to wear a scarlet H in addition to her A. The second character, Arthur Dimmesdale is the epitome of hypocrisy. Hawthorne intended his
name to have symbolic meaning. Dimmesdale meaning dim or not very bright. Arthur might be bright in the areas of theology, but when it comes to
hypocrisy, he is a fool. Dimmesdale says very near the beginning of the book "What can thy silence do for him, except to tempt himyea, compel
him, as it wereto add hypocrisy to sin?"(Dimmesdale 47) He knows what will happen to him if he endures his sin in private, but he is too weak at
this point in the book to admit it. The tapestries of biblical adultery, which are found in Arthur's room are hypocritical. These are supposed to help
him atone for his sins by making him feel guilty, but he feels no better. Arthur goes and preaches every week on how bad sin is, and how he is the
worst sinner of them all
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