Why is the first scene in scaffold ironic?

The first scaffolding scene is ironic because it is the scene when Dimmesdale is called upon in order to ask Hester who the father is. It is illustrated in the story that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. There are some signs throughout the story that will somehow give the reader a clue. The first is the time when Dimmesdale saved Hester from the gawks of people by giving a plea that was considered to be a bit taboo at that time.

Another clue is how the other people wanted Hester to say who the real father is but Dimmesdale opposes every time. It seems that Dimmesdale cannot keep his father instincts for so long because before he touched Pearl’s check which can be considered as a sign of acknowledgement.