Dimmesdale And Frome Essay Research Paper Arthur

Dimmesdale And Frome Essay, Research Paper

Arthur Dimmesdale of Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter and Ethan Frome, the main character of Wharton’s classic Ethan Frome, though separated by over a century of time, find themselves in remarkably similar situations–a bleak existence, punctuated only be intermittent glimpses into a life that might have been. However, a difference in character leads each to ultimately confront their respective situation in opposing ways. Ironically, the one seeking a new, clean life is met by death and the one seeking a conclusive death receives, instead, a hellish life. Essentially, both Dimmesdale and Frome have weak and selfish characters, but Dimmesdale triumphs over Frome with a stronger heart and a more decisive mind in the end. Dimmesdale acquires these characteristics through a harsh penance and a lengthy repentance. Frome, however, hardly feels remorseful for his actions. Occasionally, a wisp of guilt enters into his mind, but it is driven out by defensive justifications of his actions.

Dimmesdale lives as a Puritan in 18th century Salem, Massachusetts while Frome exists in a stark austerity that symbolized the Puritan world in 20th century Starkfield, Massachusetts. An uneducated farmer, Ethan lives because he has to. There are obligations to fulfill and duties to perform, and all of this Ethan takes upon himself. But Ethan’s life matters little in Starkfield. “Most people were either indifferent to his troubles, or disposed to think it natural that a young fellow of his age should have carried without repining the burden of three crippled lives.” (Wharton 102) It seems that no one sympathizes with him in his plight. Dimmesdale is a revered minister of the Puritan town. He appears so innocent, so eloquent and so faithful, his followers proclaim him to come from God Himself. “They (the people) deemed the young clergyman a miracle of holiness. They fancied him the mouth-piece of Heaven’s messages of wisdom and rebuke, and love. In their eyes, the very ground on which he trod was sanctified.” (Hawthorne 125) As much as Dimmesdale is revered, Ethan is ignored; thus, Dimmesdale’s sinful actions would reverberate to a greater degree throughout the Puritan town. His deeds have more weight and more bearing, because he is such a respected person. However, at the same time, Ethan would be frowned upon for leaving Zenobia because of her illness(es). It would appear that Ethan was deserting his wife in her time of need. In that way, both Dimmesdale and Ethan are bound by society’s conventions. Dimmesdale may not have a personal life because he is a messenger from God and Ethan may not seek individual happiness because it is his place to care for Zeena.

Both Dimmesdale and Frome can be called weak because of their initial responses to their respective situations. Dimmesdale, after committing his sin, presses Hester to name the father of her child, half wishing she will speak the truth so he might share the punishment with her and be done with it. However, with the “wondrous strength and generosity of a woman’s heart” (Hawthorne 63) Hester will not speak, and Dimmesdale is glad of it. He shows his weakness by selfishly allowing Hester to shoulder the blame in entirety for seven long years, and by failing to resolve the situation. He just doesn t know what to do, and turns to Hester in the later moments of his life, Think for me, Hester! Thou art strong. Resolve for me! (Hawthorne 171) Ethan Frome’s weakness lies more in his indecisiveness. He desperately want his own life but feels he will take away from the life of Zeena in order to achieve it. His ultimate sin is his attempt at suicide. As time passes, Dimmesdale musters enough courage, leading to his confession, while Ethan sinks deeper into despair, leading to his attempted suicide.

Dimmesdale’s eventual strength of character stems indirectly from the penances he performs and the fact that his sins, astonishingly and repulsively, heighten his popularity in the town. Because Dimmesdale is inherently weak, it is the hardest thing for him to confess his sins. He punishes himself to release some of his guilt by whipping himself, depriving himself of food, and keeping himself on vigils.

His inward trouble drove him to practices, more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome, than with the better light of the church in which he had been born and bred. In Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge. Oftentimes, this Protestant and Puritan divine had plied it on his own shoulders; laughing bitterly at himself the while, and smiting so much the more pitilessly, because of that bitter laugh. It was his custom, too, as it has been that of many other pious Puritans, to fast–not, however, like them, in order to purify the body and render it the fitter medium of celestial illumination, –but rigorously, and until his knees trembled beneath him, as an act of penance. He kept vigils likewise, night after night, sometimes in utter darkness; sometimes with a glimmering lamp; and sometimes, viewing his own face in a looking glass, by the most powerful light which he could throw upon it. He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured, but could not purify, himself. (Hawthorne, 126)

These methods have no improving affect on his state of mind. If nothing else, these penances increase his guilt because they are derived from o