ANXIETY AND DEFENSE MECHANISM OF ARTHUR DIMMESDALE AS REFLECTED IN THE SCARLET LETTER NOVEL BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

Ika Novianti, Riana Permatasari

Abstract


This study explained the anxiety of Arthur Dimmesdale as the male character in The Scarlet Letter novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The main goals of this study were to explain the anxiety of Arthur Dimmesdale based on personality theory by Sigmund Freud. This study used descriptive qualitative methods. The data was collected from the novel in the form of monologues, dialogues, and prologues. Reading the novel, identifying the data, classifying the data, and reducing the data were some steps used to collect the necessary data. According to Sigmund Freud personality theory, this study found the anxieties of Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter novel, which was published in 1850. They were neurotic and moral anxiety. Those anxieties could be seen when Arthur Dimmesdale felt uncomfortable and guilty for hiding the truth about his being an adulterer in front of Puritan society during his life. He also made his partner, Hester Prynne be punished alone and lived far from townspeople for seven years.

 

 

Keywords: Sigmund Freud, The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale


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