""Good Master Dimmesdale," said he, "the responsibility of this woman's soul lies greatly with you. It behooves you, therefore, to exhort her to repentance, and to confession, as a proof and consequence thereof."" (Nathaniel Hawthorne, 46)
The Scarlet Letter discuses the time period in which Puritans gained freedom from the English, and have now their own rules and regulations. The punishment of Hester Prynne, was a lifetime of shame and guilt for committing adultery, by the requirement of wearing a scarlet letter "A" on her chest on every piece of clothing she owns. In the beginning of the novel, the author does not mention the man who Hester sinned upon. The high authorities of the Puritan society in Massachusetts, Boston try to compel Hester to confess the name of her mate. She refuses countlessly, so keep the name a secret. This quote states the conversation of Governor Bellingham querying the powerful Reverend Master Dimmesdale to propose a punishment in which Hester Prynne will serve. Also, Master Dimmesdale must discover the man she has sinned with. This is ironic, because later in the novel, readers uncover the truth of the man's identity. That man is no other than the priest, Master Dimmesdale. The burden is left on his shoulders, since he is so pure and plain, and also the least expected to sin. Dimmesdale does not confess his mistakes, but hides clues in his house. Nathaniel Hawthorne does this, to surprise the readers. It was certainly not expected for the priest, also the man who listens to others' confessions, to be the one who sinned.
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