chapter 20
"The minister had inquired of Hester [... ]the precise time at which the vessel might be expected to depart. It would probably be on the fourth day from the present. «This is most fortunate!».[...] because on the third day from the present, he was to preach the Election Sermon; and, as such an occasion formed an honourable epoch in the life of a New England Clergyman, he could not have chanced upon a more suitable mode and time of terminating his professional career. «At least, they shall say of me*,» thought this exemplary man, «that I leave no public duty unperformed or ill-performed!»"
Probably Pearl and Hester gave D. the streght that he couldn't find by himself. Finally, he decides to become strong and say the truth. The punishment received actually spurs him toward a better behavior, as the letter A helped Hester to become a better person. Nevertheless, A.D. seems more concerned about people's reputation - it seems that he does what he does because of people's opinion*- unlike Hester, that suffered for the society's thoughts but never did anything to change them.
Yes, Dimmesdale's weakness is that he is too concern about what others think, too concern about his reputation.
ReplyDeleteGood connection between Dimmesdale and Hester here.