Final Answer:
Dimmesdale's "secret poison, his malignity, infecting all air about him" refers to the guilt and inner torment he experiences due to his concealed sin of adultery with Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Minister Dimmesdale's secret poison alludes to the overwhelming guilt and internal suffering resulting from his hidden transgression. Dimmesdale's concealed sin, committing adultery with Hester Prynne, weighs heavily on his conscience. The metaphorical ""malignity"" suggests the malevolence of his inner turmoil, which becomes a pervasive and toxic force in his life, affecting not only his emotional well-being but also influencing those around him.
Dimmesdale's guilt, portrayed as a poison, metaphorically infects the air about him. This metaphor captures the insidious nature of his internal struggle, permeating his every action and interaction. The choice of words, such as "malignity" and "infecting," underscores the corrosive impact of Dimmesdale's hidden sin on his spiritual and mental state. It also serves as a thematic element in the novel, highlighting the destructive consequences of suppressed guilt and the challenges of maintaining a façade of virtue while harboring a concealed transgression.
In summary, Dimmesdale's "secret poison" represents the moral and emotional toxicity stemming from his concealed sin of adultery. The imagery of malignity and infection vividly portrays the pervasive and corrosive nature of his guilt, contributing to the novel's exploration of the consequences of hidden sins and the complexities of moral redemption."