“He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured, but could not purify himself.”
Dimmesdale is the punishment of himself. Just because anyone knows his sin that doesn’t mean that he is unpunished. Its this fact itself, that he (and Hester) is the only one to know his fault that punish it. Hester has admitted her fault, telling everyone her sin, but now she can find a little ransom. Dimmesdale, continues to “sin” carrying all his fault alone so hiding the truth, and surely he can’t find any ransom. His sin is his fault and his punishment, which is corroding him from inside.
Is this Private vs. Public sin?
RispondiElimina