In chapter 11, the reader finds out for certain that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. As a minister and a moral man, it is evident through the entire chapter that Dimmesdale is suffering. However, through his suffering, he is inspired to preach about sin. does inspire him to deliver some of his most powerful sermons, which focus on the topic of sin. Dimmesdale faces an internal struggle and as a result he begins to see visions. Then, Dimmesdale begins to physically torture himself. He whips himself, he fasts, and stays up all night thinking about his wrongdoings. stays awake throughout the night meditating upon his sin. I think that this entire chapter is personifying the theme of sin throughout this entire book. The standards of the society in which Hester and Dimmesdale live and their failure to live up to those standards have serious affects on them and their daily lives. In turn, this affects the entire story line.
I agree with you that sin could be thought of as being personified in this story, because it certainly has a tremendous effect on the main characters. When I think about sin and Dimmesdale, sin almost acts as a pestering friend who never lets you forget your mistakes, no matter how few or small they are. Dimmesdale is tormented by his sin until the very end of the book when he works up the courage in the woods to shed its burden and resolves to reveal his secret.
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