Arthur Dimmesdale

Arthur Dimmesdale is a central character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter." He is a Puritan minister who struggles with guilt and shame after having an affair with Hester Prynne, resulting in the birth of their daughter, Pearl. While Hester publicly bears the stigma of their sin, Dimmesdale suffers in silence, grappling with his conscience and fear of losing his community’s respect. His internal conflict symbolizes the themes of guilt, redemption, and the tension between personal integrity and societal expectations. Ultimately, Dimmesdale’s journey highlights the moral complexities of sin and the human condition.