Falsehood in the Scarlet Letter

Falsehood is one of the biggest themes in The Scarlet Letter. Most of the characters in the book are somehow affected by it. The three main characters’ lives are affected and molded by the way that they deal with this falsehood. Hester and Dimmesdale have falsehood towards Hester’s husband. Hester also has a falsehood towards Dimmesdale since she conceals Chillingworth’s identity. Dimmesdale has a falsehood towards everyone by concealing his sin. Hester feels …

…and Pearl, he finally gains his personal victory and succeeds in breaking Chillingworth's hold over him. Dimmesdale's public confession is an act of bravery for him; he considers the public acceptance of his guilt better than the cowardly escape from Boston that he had planned. When he reveals the scarlet letter on his chest, he is freed to die a peaceful man. Hester is also relieved since she no longer has to hold any secrets.