The Worst of Them All. An Essay on "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne

In 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, many characters sin. However, Arthur Dimmesdale, the church priest, commits the worst sins. Hester Prynne commits several sins, but none are even comparable to Dimmesdale's sins. Even Roger Chillingworth's sins, spawned by pure hatred, pale in comparison the sins of Arthur Dimmesdale.
Hester Prynne was unfaithful to her husband, Roger Chillingworth. She commits adultery with Arthur Dimmesdale, and for her sins she is forced to wear a scarlet letter, professing her sin to all. As bad as her sin was, she confesses it, and receives absolution. After her confession, she bears her punishment alone, even when the entire town is calling for her to reveal the other guilty party. She remains faithful to Arthur Dimmesdale, a commendable quality. Even when Dimmesdale himself beseeches her to reveal the sinner, she steadfastly refuses in silence.
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