What are the ways that Dimmesdale responds to the initial sin, and how does it shape her life?

Dimmesdale hides from his sin. He keeps it a secret and lets Hester keep it as well. Dimmesdale's sin haunts him. His secret eats away at him like poison and, it can be argued, eventually kills him. The irony is that Dimmedale's sin was the only real thing in his life. He sees his lovely daughter Pearl and must hide her identity as shame.