to lapse further in his distortion of the world and itsrealities. Finally, when the book reaches its climax, Arthur succeeds in winning back the spirit that he had lost years before,and he prepares to tell his congregation of his horrible crime. With his last steps, he ascends the scaffold and completessomething he feels he should have completed seven years earlier: he accepts his sin, he accepts Hester, and he acceptsPearl. He reveals to the world his humanity and in so doing, forgives himself and is himself forgiven. His conscienceand the truth, which had been agonizing him before has purified him, and he is free to achieve the peace he was in searchof. Arthurs embrace of his conscience and truth, as well as of the traits of the human character, lead to this anddecisive victory in the battle against himself. In the novel, Arthur Dimmesdale proved to be an effective character inillustrating the theme of conscience and redemption through truth. Through Arthurs change from merely feeling the painsof his human weakness while being interviewed, to his attempts at relieving his pain through scourging, fasting, andvigils, to his ultimate acceptance of the truth at the final scaffold scene, Nathaniel Hawthorne succeeds in showingthat redemption can be achieved through truth alone; complete atonement comes only with complete truth. This isuniversal for all men who possibly will, through the truth, finally conquer themselves. ...
