Question

DImmesdale enters the church energetically and upright to give his sermon; he leaves it stooped and tottering like he did dem drugs. How would you account for each of these quite different ways he carried himself? What might we assume has happened to him during the course of the sermon.

Answer 1

Dimmesdale's initial energetic posture reflects his readiness to preach, while his weakened state upon exiting may indicate an emotional or spiritual burden revealed or released during his sermon, aligning with the themes of sin and redemption in Hawthorne's novel.

Step-by-step explanation:

The descriptions of Dimmesdale's entrance and exit from the church in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel suggest a significant transformation during his sermon. Upon entering, Dimmesdale is energetic and upright, indicative of his preparedness to deliver a powerful sermon. This could symbolize his spiritual or moral resolve. However, his departure, stooped and tottering, implies a substantial burden or revelation that occurred during the course of his address, possibly draining him physically and emotionally. The physical change could signify a confession or an unburdening of guilt related to the novel's themes of sin and redemption.