Foil

Character Role Analysis

The Reverend Dimmesdale to Hester Prynne

Dimmesdale and Hester both sinned, but she has to wear her shame publicly while he hides behind his ministerial cloak and only confesses just before he dies. She's strong; he's weak. She's isolated; he's beloved by his community.

But you can't hide from God: both of them are marked with a scarlet letter.