Emma Gira
November 4

In the novel, a controlling idea which is displayed is the fact that when a person holds truths within themselves, it can physically and mentally destroy them. Throughout the story, Reverend Dimmesdale was very sickly. His depleting health was due to the strain that hiding the truth put on him. Once he told the truth, even just to Hester, life came back to his face immediately. "The excitement of Mr. Dimmesdale's feelings, as he returned from his interview with Hester, lent him unaccustomed physical energy" (225). When Dimmesdale confessed to the town, though, he died right after since his heart had been so weakened from having to bear his secret.
This idea can also be seen in Roger Chillingsworth. He had to hide the fact that he was really Hester's husband, and this secret, clearly, made him mentally unstable. "It may be. . . because I will not encounter the dishonor that besmirches the husband of a faithless woman. It may be for other reasons. Enough, it is my purpose to live and die unknown. Let, therefore, thy husband be to the world as one already dead, and to whom no tidings shall ever come. Recognize me not, by word, by sign, by look! Breathe not the secret, above all, to the man thou wottest of. Shouldst thou fail me in this, beware! His fame, his position, his life, will be in my hands. Beware!" (79-80). From this quote, it is evident that Chillingsworth is already going crazy. He threatens to kill the baby-daddy if his identity is ever revealed, and these secrets will ultimately lead to his demise.