The Scarlet Letter Theme of Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is seen not only as a sin in The Scarlet Letter, but as a sin that leads to great personal injury. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, a religious figure, comes to embody hypocrisy, resulting in so much guilt that he becomes ill. His guilty conscience produces the mysterious appearance of the scarlet letter on his skin over his heart and ultimately causes his death. Dimmesdale’s illegitimate daughter is especially hard on her father. Until he renounces his hypocrisy, she has little to do with him. When he finally reveals the truth about himself, she loves him for who he is. The narrator warns us not to let our reputations become more important than our lives, and it poses an interesting question about the danger of valuing appearances.

1. Which characters are represented as hypocrites in this book and why?
2. Who seems to tell the truth, and what role do these characters have in the novel?
3. Is it possible to say that Hester Prynne is a hypocrite? Why or why not?

Although Hester grants the minister reprieve from public shame, little Pearl judges him for his unwillingness to acknowledge his relationship with them publicly. He is able to redeem himself only when he confesses to the townspeople that he is also guilty of the sin of adultery.

Even though hypocrisy appears to save the minister from punishment and humiliation, his torment is ultimately worse even than Hester’s. Hester lives a long life, but the minister dies from his internal anguish.