In fear f losing his place within the town.
He doesn't want the townspeople to think about him differently.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," Reverend Dimmesdale is portrayed as a hypocrite through his public image as a pious minister while secretly engaging in a sinful affair with Hester Prynne. This hypocrisy is evident throughout the novel, particularly through Dimmesdale's internal struggles with guilt and his inability to openly confess his wrongdoing.
In the novel "The Scarlet Letter," the relationship between Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale is one of forbidden love. They engage in a secret affair that results in Hester's pregnancy, but they struggle with the consequences of their actions as Dimmesdale is a respected minister in the Puritan community and they cannot openly acknowledge their relationship.
Hester resolves to openly confront the consequences of her actions and bear the stigma of the scarlet letter with dignity, while also protecting the true identity of her child's father, Arthur Dimmesdale. She chooses to live a life of selfless penance and devoted motherhood despite the judgement and isolation from society.
Pearl demands her mother to wear the scarlet letter A openly on her chest as a way to embrace her identity and stand proudly with her. She also wants Hester to accept and acknowledge her sin rather than hiding it.
Pearl continuously asks her mother, Hester, about Dimmesdale's connection to them. She questions Hester about why they stand separately from him, why he is reluctant to acknowledge them, and why he doesn't openly embrace their public shaming and punishment. Through these inquiries, Pearl is seeking the truth of their familial ties and the reasons behind Dimmesdale's actions.
Dimmesdale acknowledged Hester and Pearl with surprise and compassion, but he could not openly acknowledge them as his family due to his position as a respected minister in the community. His emotions were conflicted between his inner feelings for them and his public image.
Hester thought Dimmesdale would have been better off if he had openly acknowledged his sin of adultery and faced the consequences publicly, rather than carrying the burden of guilt and internal struggle. She believed that accepting responsibility and seeking redemption would have brought him peace and closure.
"Profess" means to declare openly or publicly, typically one's beliefs or intentions. "Confess" means to admit or acknowledge a wrongdoing, fault, or a belief, typically in a private or formal setting.
pleasenow
Children may dislike Dimmesdale because he is seen as a hypocrite for preaching about morality and goodness while secretly engaging in a scandalous affair with Hester Prynne. His inability to openly acknowledge his sins and his lack of authenticity could make him appear untrustworthy and insincere to children. Additionally, his inner turmoil and self-punishment may make him seem distant or unapproachable to young individuals.
Aurthur Dimmsdale is the man that Hester committed adultery with. Hester is 'caught' because she becomes pregnant when her husband is away, so she has to deal with her punishment in public. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter on her chest, and is isolated from the rest of the community. Although this may not seem like a good life, Dimmsdale is jealous because he feels guilty, but can't tell anyone of his sin. In their community, Dimmsdale is a very popular and well thought of minister. Because of this, no one would ever suspect that it was he who had an affair with Hester. During his sermons, he tries to tell the people that he too has sinned, but they don't believe him. Because of his inability to confess, he ends up having to keep his guilt to himself. This is his internal punishment. Dimmsdale is jealous of Hester because she faced her sins and dealt with her punishment, and now can move on with her life, while he will be weighted down with guilt until he confesses.
The opposite of openly is secretly, or covertly.