The Scarlet Letter
Chapter Eighteen
Entry Forty-Three
After Hester and Dimmesdale decide to flee together, the minister is thinking about how he can justify his escape before God. He still struggles with himself because he doesn't think he deserves being released from his pain. But in the end his desire for being with Hester and away from his heartache is stronger than his connection to God. He still can't look up into His eyes but for the first time since this fateful night he thinks of his own well-being. He thinks that God has abanoned him because He doesn't want to see Dimmesdale's misery. So the pastor doesn't get a sign of mercy from God. And since he is ought to die because of sin anyway he thinks he can at least die with Hester's love.
He decided against a life with God and for a life with Hester. In my opinion this is a decision against himself (although I totally agree that it's the best for everyone when they just go away from Boston!) since God is not a 'friend or something concrete that you can talk to.' He exists in one's mind and therefore is a creation of one's thoughts. God doesn't show signs of mercy in reality, it is the transformation of one's mind that makes a good thing coming from God.
So in my opinion Dimmesdale denies his own mind and choses rather to live 'through Hester's mind.'
Does Hawthorne believe in God?
ReplyDeleteThis is a readers response entry. Interesting. You are correct that Dimmesdale is running away with Hester and choosing her over God. When he dies look to see what he says about Hester in the afterlife.