Final answer:
Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, a character from Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter,' engages in self-punishment and penance, including self-flagellation and fasting, as a result of his guilt over committing adultery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practices that Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale begins as a result of his guilt are primarily acts of self-punishment and penance. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale, who has committed adultery with Hester Prynne, subjects himself to physical and mental torment in order to atone for his sins. His guilt drives him to self-flagellation, forgoing sleep, and holding prolonged fasts, which are manifestations of his internal struggle and attempt to find peace through suffering.
Dimmesdale's actions are underscored by his role as a respected clergyman in Puritan society where sin is met with severe reproach, making his private penance all the more torturous given the expectations of his congregation. Despite his revered status, Dimmesdale cannot escape the torment of his hidden sin, leading to a deteriorating physical and mental state that reflects the damaging effects of carrying the burden of unconfessed guilt.