Peer pressure is something that can make anyone be something they are not. It can make people tell lies and potentially, in the end, hurt themselves. In the book The Scarlet Letter, many characters let someone or something influence them to the point where it they are presented with difficult situation to get rid of. Particularly, Dimmesdale was easily influenced by others throughout the book allowing them to determine his fate and ultimately leading to his death.
The townspeople looked up to Dimmesdale; they loved when he spoke and they thought he was a phenomenal reverend. No one knew that a holy and pure reverend could commit a sin such as adultery. His congregation believed that he was an innocent man which made him hold onto his secret even more. Dimmesdale had a child with a married woman, and couldn’t let that be known; he had a reputation to hold and he couldn’t let that be tarnished due to his sin. He felt that if any one found out his life would basically be over. As DImmesdale said “No evil of the past be redeemed by better service” (124) meaning though his past mistakes weren’t the best his present actions can replace it. He knew what he did was wrong and he knew what everyone would think of him.…show more content… Dimmesdale knew that being Chillingworth’s patient, anything could go wrong, after coming out with the big “secret”. Chillingworth was the key to his health and Dimmesdale knew that his sin would ruin everything. Dimmesdale faith was being tested. Chillingworth knew he cherished his job but couldn’t understand how he could go against the will of God. The only way he could get back at him was to torment him. He wanted him to confess his sin, but Dimmesdale just wouldn’t do