Scarlet Letter Essay: Chillingworth's Significance
The Scarlet Letter: Chillingworth’s Significance
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s morally diverse novel The Scarlet Letter provides a darkening perspective on the effects of sin, hypocrisy, and anguish portrayed in the human behavior of the villain. Fundamentally, “there are no secrets that time does not reveal”; therefore, Hawthorne enhances his purpose with the utilization of many antagonists whom portray this, but neither associating more importantly than Roger Chillingworth’s character. (Steen)
For instance, Hawthorne first introduces Chillingworth in the novel as Hester’s, the novel's transgressing protagonist, scholarly husband and, in which speculations suggest, his tragic voyage at sea. As the story progresses, Hester, whom interprets her husband’s absence as permanent, soon finds herself as a convict of committing adultery and is involuntarily condemned to the pillory as part of her …show more content…
Consequently, Chillingworth’s character transforms into something darker, almost diabolical, and is echoed on henceforth in the novel. For, “think not that [he] shall interfere with Heaven’s own method of retribution, or, to [his] own loss, betray [Hester’s lover] to the to the gripe of human law. Neither do thou imagine that [he] shall contrive aught against [her lover’s] life, no, nor against his fame; if, as [Hester] judge[s], [her lover] be the man of fair repute. Let [her lover] live! Let [her lover] hide himself in outward honor, if he may! Not the less, [her lover] shall be [his]!” (Hawthorne, 64) Considering this, Chillingworth harkens satisfying justice done for Hester and her lover’s sin, but absolutely desired to
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s morally diverse novel The Scarlet Letter provides a darkening perspective on the effects of sin, hypocrisy, and anguish portrayed in the human behavior of the villain. Fundamentally, “there are no secrets that time does not reveal”; therefore, Hawthorne enhances his purpose with the utilization of many antagonists whom portray this, but neither associating more importantly than Roger Chillingworth’s character. (Steen)
For instance, Hawthorne first introduces Chillingworth in the novel as Hester’s, the novel's transgressing protagonist, scholarly husband and, in which speculations suggest, his tragic voyage at sea. As the story progresses, Hester, whom interprets her husband’s absence as permanent, soon finds herself as a convict of committing adultery and is involuntarily condemned to the pillory as part of her …show more content…
Consequently, Chillingworth’s character transforms into something darker, almost diabolical, and is echoed on henceforth in the novel. For, “think not that [he] shall interfere with Heaven’s own method of retribution, or, to [his] own loss, betray [Hester’s lover] to the to the gripe of human law. Neither do thou imagine that [he] shall contrive aught against [her lover’s] life, no, nor against his fame; if, as [Hester] judge[s], [her lover] be the man of fair repute. Let [her lover] live! Let [her lover] hide himself in outward honor, if he may! Not the less, [her lover] shall be [his]!” (Hawthorne, 64) Considering this, Chillingworth harkens satisfying justice done for Hester and her lover’s sin, but absolutely desired to