Whose Sin is Greatest"

It is strange how often other peoples' sins seem so much worse in comparison to our own. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel, The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale, an adulterate minister, seems to believe that Roger Chillingworth, the husband of his lover, is somewhat lacking in righteousness, when in fact, Arthur himself has "deeply sinned." Through his adultery, his lying, and his lack of faith, Arthur Dimmesdale wrongs more than anyone else in the novel.

"'You shall not commit adultery'" (Exodus 20:14). Hester's and Arthur's mutual sin is the source of their discontentment. They wrong themselves by breaking this sixth commandment. As Hester disavows her duties to her husband, Arthur denies his duty to the people of the community who look up to him with astounding reverence. He has polluted his soul, and says it best himself: "What can a...polluted soul [effect towards] their purification"" Arthur...