Why is the minister distressed in the scarlet letter

And, finally, a sweet, young virgin narrowly escapes a wicked look from her beloved minister. Finally, he barely refrains from teaching bad words to a group of children and trading curses with a sailor.

Mistress Hibbins invites Dimmesdale to the forest and tells him she admires the way he covers up his true feelings during the day. But she knows she will see him in the forest with the Black Man when midnight comes. Dimmesdale hurries home and, because he is agitated, Chillingworth offers to give him some medicine to calm him down. Dimmesdale lies to Chillingworth, telling him that though he knows his medicine is dispensed by a loving hand, he does not need it.

Then he goes to his study and furiously writes his Election Sermon. This entire chapter — note the title — focuses on the spiritual battle warring within Dimmesdale. He has been transformed from the weak and dying man who went into the forest.

Hawthorne here examines the nature of the fight and interjects his own comments at various points. His thinking has been transformed by his will and that of Hester. As if possessed, Dimmesdale returns to the town, a man on fire. Even Mistress Hibbins recognizes him as a kindred spirit.

Tempted by a dream of happiness, he had yielded himself, with deliberate choice, as he had never done before, to what he knew was deadly sin. Dimmesdale works with great passion on his Election Sermon, putting this new energy to good use. When Chillingworth says that his congregation may find their ill pastor gone the next year, Dimmesdale agrees. Why is Dimmesdale so able to lie to his tormenter?

Mistress Hibbins would say it is because his soul has been sold. Election Sermon the speech given when a governor is installed. His thinking has been transformed by his will and that of Hester. As if possessed, Dimmesdale returns to the town, a man on fire. He is tempted several times by the irrational, wild, blasphemous, and — what Dimmesdale calls "involuntary" — desire to do wicked things to members of his congregation and perfect strangers.

Even Mistress Hibbins recognizes him as a kindred spirit. Dimmesdale is the "wretched minister! Tempted by a dream of happiness, he had yielded himself, with deliberate choice, as he had never done before, to what he knew was deadly sin.

Even his affair with Hester seven years before had not been "a deliberate choice" and hence, although a sin, not a deadly one. Dimmesdale works with great passion on his Election Sermon, putting this new energy to good use.

When Chillingworth says that his congregation may find their ill pastor gone the next year, Dimmesdale agrees. In fact he answers Chillingworth, "Yea, to another world" with "pious resignation. Why is Dimmesdale so able to lie to his tormenter? Mistress Hibbins would say it is because his soul has been sold. Whatever the reason, it is definitely providing inspiration for the minister's speech.

Election Sermon the speech given when a governor is installed. It is a great honor to be asked to give this speech. Ann Turner an alleged witch who supposedly helped in the poisoning in the previously mentioned Overbury case. Previous Chapter Next Chapter Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title. Are you sure you want to remove bookConfirmation and any corresponding bookmarks?

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