Dimmesdale (character)

Arthur Dimmesdale is a complex, conflicted character from Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." He is a respected young minister in a Puritan town who secretly bears guilt for an extramarital affair with Hester Prynne, resulting in her public shame. Tormented by his conscience and unable to confess openly, Dimmesdale's internal struggle manifests as physical and emotional suffering. Despite his outward piety and reputation, he grapples with feelings of shame and hypocrisy. Ultimately, his internal conflict leads to his tragic death, symbolizing the destructive power of concealed guilt and the importance of truth.