The Greatest Sinner in The Scarlet LetterHumanity is subject to a certain degree of sin. A question that has always plagued humanity is how to achieve redemption from sin. Every sin becomes worse when the perpetrator does not take responsibility for it. In the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, perhaps the greatest sinner was Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Many of Hawthorne's works focus on what is right or wrong and the consequences of breaking fundamental bonds between humans by committing acts of sin (Brown). In this book, Reverend Dimmesdale is the secret lover of Hester Prynne, with whom he shares her sin, the sin of adultery. It is ironic that despite Dimmesdale's profession, he commits this sin. Over a long period in this book, author Nathaniel Hawthorne shows how this sin is frowned upon by many of the townspeople. Arthur Dimmesdale is a prominent Boston minister and also Pearl's father. He is a tortured man who constantly puts his hand over his heart when he is agitated. His health is quite poor, and it is thanks to Roger Chillingworth's potions that he manages to stay alive. Dimmesdale admits to being Pearl's father at the very end of the novel and reveals that he has a scarlet letter carved into his flesh. He dies on the scaffold holding Hester's hand. For seven long years, Mr. Dimmesdale lacked the courage to publicly admit his guilt, which dampened his conscience and his soul. His sin extends inside him, festering in every corner of his body and tormenting his mind. As Hester stands on the scaffold with Pearl carrying the scarlet letter on her chest, letting everyone know her sin, she refuses to let the raven...... middle of paper ..... .the Puritans did it a long time ago. Sin is a constant in society and that may never change. A sin can only become deeper if the perpetrator spends much of his life hiding it, keeping it bottled up inside, until it is ready to burst out. Books consulted Brown, Bryan D. "Re-examination of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. http ^ "Characters". http//:www.std.enmu.edu/arthurpi/arthur.html. February 15, 2000. "Chuck III. Academic Resources". http://www.chuckiii.com/reports/book_reports/scarlet_letter.shtml. March 1, 2000. Nicholas J. "Classic Notes: Recognizing Sources for Summaries and Analysis: The Scarlet Letter of Nathaniel Hawthorne ". http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/thescarletletter/fullsumm.html February. 15, 2000.