How Is Chillingworth Presented In The Scarlet Letter

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Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter illustrates Roger Chillingworth, Hester
Prynne’s husband, as the antagonist. Throughout the story, Chillingworth is depicted with a pernicious tone that give readers the idea that he is sinister and inimical. The author clarifies that Chillingworth strives for revenge against Hester and her lover, supported with various hostile events. Chillingworth is an icon of jealousy that was driven by love, and grief for a girl that betrayed and humiliated him with the act of adultery.
Roger Chillingworth is perceived as malevolent because of the author’s delivery of
words. The reactions of characters also display distress towards Chillingworth, “...a gaze that made her heart shrink and shudder, so familiar, …show more content…

Hawthorne describes Chillingworth as a “forlorn creature” and “wretched” (128). These descriptions depict the character to be more sinister, especially the description of “creature” which does not even claim Chillingworth to be human because of his level of evil. Chapter eleven of The Scarlet Letter focuses on Chillingworth torturing Dimmesdale, Prynne’s lover, and how Chillingworth takes great pleasure in it. The portrayal of Chillingworth in chapter eleven is distinct from the beginning of the chapter because his absurdity is immensely elevated. Hawthorne states, “Had a man seen old Roger Chillingworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have had no need to ask Satan comports himself when a precious human is lost to heaven, and won into his kingdom” (126). Chillingworth is completely enthralled into evil and is no longer a companion of God but instead Satan. The author also describes Chillingworth as the “devil” and “unhappy” (153). Suffering and pain can lead to loss of hope, leading into dark paths when faith in God is tested, which is how Hawthorne depicts …show more content…

He admits to Hester about his wrong doings, which Hawthorne’s form of confession in a Catholic Church, and is the start of the downfall of his character’s sinisterness.
Hawthorne merges religion into The Scarlet Letter greatly because it takes place in the Puritan era, and sin plays a large role in the story’s theme. Chillingworth dies after Dimmesdale and leaves his inheritance to Pearl, Prynne’s and Dimmesdale’s daughter, which indicates the victory of God, since Catholics believe that He triumphs over all things, even the devil.
Hawthorne believes that Chillingworth is the most lowest sinner of all because he let
the devil take over him rather than God. Hester accepts her mistake and consequences and lives her life giving to charity and taking care of her child that is the result of her mistake. Dimmesdale keeps his sin a secret but is eaten away with guilt from his conscience. Chillingworth, on the other hand, did not feel remorse for his actions or intentions. Hawthorne lets Chillingworth wither away at the end as a form of self destruction. Chillingworth’s obsession with revenge for Hester and Dimmesdale lead him to his death because once Dimmesdale passed away Chillingworth was so corrupt he found no reason to live anymore. Hawthorne uses Chillingworth to support his theme that turning the other cheek over

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