e society in which they lived. Here in the forest, they can be themselves and let go of their reluctance to express their feelings. In the Puritan society self-reliance is assumed. It is assumed that you need only yourself, and therefore there was no need for a “shoulder to cry on.” It would be unthinkable for Hester and Dimmesdale to comfort each other, not only because of Hester’s sin, but because of the stations in life that each of them held. In the forest, these cares are thrown away. “Be thou strong for me…Advise me what to do” (180). Dimmesdale pleads with Hester to help him. He admits that he cannot deal with this suffering by himself. With this plea, there is a role reversal between him and Hester. He is no longer holding onto the belief that he is above Hester. He is admitting that Hester is an equal to him. This is unheard of in the socially oriented Puritan society. A parishioner could never be above their pastor. A pastor would never go to one of his parishioners for help. Hester assumes a new position of power and gives Dimmesdale encouragement. Begin all anew! … There is happiness to be enjoyed! There is good to be done! Exchange this false life of thine for a true one. Preach! Write! Act! (181) Hester tells Dimmesdale to start a new life and to forget the sins of the past. When he replies “there is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, difficult world, alone!” (182), Hester replies that he would not have to go alone for she would go with him! “Thou shalt not go alone” (182). No other place than in the forest could such plans to run away be discussed between the two of them. Only in the forest could a man of such high regard in the community share his innermost thoughts to a woman who had been outcast by society. Only in the forest could such an event take place.The forest brings out the natural appe...
