The Scarlet Letter
...nder the glares of the crowd. When told to reveal her fellow sinner’s name again, Hester speaks with such boldness that is especially uncommon for a woman of Puritan time, (Hawthorne 69) “‘Never!’ replied Hester Prynne, looking, not at Mr. Wilson, but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman. ‘It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!’” By having Hester refuse not once, but twice, to expose Dimmesdale, Hawthorne shows admiration for Hester’s vigor. Hester states she will take not only her burden but his as well. However, Hawthorne also displays disdain for Dimmesdale in the same scene. Dimmesdale awaits Hester’s response with anxiety and fear, “…with his hand upon his heart, had awaited the result of his appeal.” (69) Dimmesdale is the unknown sinner, no eyes are on him, and no pressure is specifically directed at him, such as Hester; however, he is weak and fearful. Yet Hester, impervious to the glaring eyes and heaviness, remains strong and does not waver. In the forest, Hester and Dimmesdale discuss their situation. The characters’ inner feelings of Hester’s strength and Dimmesdale’s weakness is revealed. In the second forest scene, Hester and Dimmesdale are conversing about their fornication when Dimmesdale tells Hester that she should think for him because he cannot (201) “Think for me, Hester! Thou art strong. Resolve for me!” Dimmesdale himself pronounces that Hester is the strongest of them two. Continuing his plea for help, Dimmesdale declares himself too weak to deal with his guilt. (201) “The judgment of God is on me,” answered the conscience-stricken priest. “It is too mighty for me to struggle with!” “Be thou strong for me!” answered he. (201) In all three incidences, Dimmesdale outright admits that he is not as strong as Hester. Hawthorne allows his main male character, in the 17th century when men wer...