/ɡɪlt/: Punishment Brought Upon Ourselves

I always questioned why the court must use the word "guilty" when they accuse the defendant  of crime. One is only guilty if they themselves believe they are. No other human being is allowed to call another guilty. Guilt is only an emotion that you can set upon yourself. 

As we go on in our quest to survive through ( erh, I mean enthusiastically study) the Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale suffers misery from the guilt of not revealing his sin to the townspeople. He whips his back and starves in order to punish himself. What I have noticed is, if he were not such a holy and innocent figure, he would not have felt as much guilt. For example, instead of putting a minister in Dimmesdale's place, let's say he was a criminal instead. Would he have felt the same amount of burdening guilt?

Let us take time and reflect  when guilt weighed down our shoulders. How was your reaction? I do recall that during my 3rd grade book fair, I attempted to steal a 50 cent pen and I felt so guilty I wailed in front of the cashier, who became so bewildered, and I begged for forgiveness. Guilt is what truly brings out our inner character. In our times where we feel most vulnerable,  "In their moments, people show you who they really are." (Joker from Dark Knight). Yes that movie ties in completely with this blog post. I remember this line so well because I connected to it so well During such emotional occasions, like guilt, we can't help but express our true personalities. In a way, guilt is what reflects who we are as people.