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The novel The Scarlet letter was written in 1850 by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The author refers Roger Chillingworth as evil, Devil-like, and a fallen man who lost everything in society. Even though Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale is Pearl’s legitimate parents, Roger Chillingworth is the best guardian for Pearl because; he looks at Pearl like his own child, he was not intending to hurt Pearl from the beginning, and gave Pearl all his properties when he died therefore Pearl could have a better life. Roger Chillingworth looks at Pearl reminiscent to his own child. He treated Pearl like his own due to his unsuccess of having a child with Hester. Moreover, he probably wanted to be a fatherly image. In the novel, Roger Chillingworth treat Pearl commonly like anyone else. Even though pearl is the sin of what Hester and Dimmesdale did, he treats her like “were it my child-yea, my own, and well as thine”(Hawthorne …show more content…
Even though he has vengeance against her parents, he chooses to “bequeathed a very considerable amount of property, both here and in England, to little Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne” (178). He provided her everything, therefore Pearl would be able to have a better life. After he gave her all his possession Pearl ”became the richest heiress of her day, in the New world” (178). If it was a another person, they would not of done what Chillingworth done. Many Puritans began to acknowledge and respect Pearl and Hester. They began to look at them differently. Before Pearl had Chillingworth 's possessions they were always looked down and treated contemptuously. At the end of chapter 24, Pearl got engaged to a rich gentleman and lived happily. At the end he still thought about Pearl. Comparing to Dimmesdale, when he passed away, he gave nothing but love. Chillingworth not only gave Pearl a better life, but he also shows that he cares for her even if she is not his biological
Roger Chillingworth’s suffering arose from a domino effect that he had no control of. Roger was merely a casualty of a sin that he had no partake in, but it turned his life upside down for the worse. The big punch that started Roger’s suffering was the affair between Hester and Dimmesdale. His suffering from this event was unlike the suffering it caused Hester and Dimmesdale as they suffered for their own sin, but Roger Chillingworth did not suffer from his own sin. Roger’s suffering comes directly from his own wife having a child with another man, an event he had no say or action in: “his young wife, you see, was left to mislead herself” (Hawthorne 97). Left all by herself Roger’s wife, Hester, mislead herself as no one was there to watch
Reflecting on these events, he turned his back on them when they stood on the scaffolding in the beginning, when he went to give Pearl a kiss on her forehead, and during the middle of the night after Hester and him talked. Unlike Dimmesdale, Chillingworth expresses no remorse whatsoever. Both men are well-educated as pastors and the other as doctors. These men seem to resemble both sides of the human society. The lack of faith is that Dimmesdale is a pastor and therefore must believe that God is in control and that his heavenly riches are better than anything else that can be offered to him.
[having] a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror? (135) at the same time. Hawthorne goes further beyond this description by comparing this sudden outburst of emotion to Satan?s ecstasy by saying that the only factor which ?distinguished [Chillingworth?s] ecstasy from Satan?s was the trait of wonder in it? (135). As the reader delves deeper into the book, we come to the conclusion that Dimmesdale is indeed the father of Pearl, the product of the horrendous sin consummated through Dimmesdale?s and Hester?s illicit affair. This point brings us back to Chillingworth?s reaction to realizing this earlier at the end of chapter ten. Although this shocking news explains why Chillingworth might have been angry or horrified, it does not clarify why Chillingworth did not attempt to murder or poison Dimmesdale whilst he had the chance, especially since the reader knows from a point made by Chillingworth earlier in the book, that after Chillingworth had sought out the man who had an affair with his Hester, he would have his long sought-after revenge (73).
Chillingworth states, “What should ail me to harm this misbegotten and miserable babe? The medicine is potent for good.” (4:42) Although Hester believes that Chillingworth may be trying to poison Pearl, she allows him to administer the medicine to her. Shortly thereafter, the novel states that “it soon proved its efficacy, and redeemed the leech’s pledge.” (4:42) This is a direct affirmation from the book that Chillingworth was helping Pearl and Hester. His resentment is directed towards Dimmesdale, as he is the one who caused Hester to have an affair. However, even in his insanity, he was still able to help Pearl. This further shows that he has a good character, and that the only thing causing his bad temper is his distress over Hester’s
This strategy exemplifies Hawthorne’s theme that sin must be taken responsibility for because being dishonest will only lead to more temptation. Chillingworth does admit to one of his blames of leaving Hester behind, but choosing his temptation over redemption has formed his obsession to making Hester lover’s suffer miserably with guilt, which fuels Roger’s vengeance. Secondly, Chillingworth’s internal conflict was illustrated through the changing of his appearance. Roger was once a kind, well respected, man of science; However, his vengeance has transformed his physical character into a devilish creature. When Hester and Pearl were visiting Governor’s Bellingham’s house, Hester notices the change over Roger’s features, “how much uglier they were, how his dark complexion seemed to have grown duskier, and his figure misshapen” (93).
Roger Chillingworth himself represents revenge. Some even believe him to be representative of evil or Satan. What is ignored in the cases of interpreting him as Satan or as evil is the fact that he has been cruelly wronged by both Hester and Dimmesdale. Because Hester and Dimmesdale are portrayed as protagonists in the novel, Chillingworth is automatically classified, because of his opposition towards the two, as antagonist. He is not actually this at all when regarded without the negative connotations under which he is crushed within the book.
Pearl is not only a symbol of Hester but also a symbol to Dimmsdale. Pearl will not let him into her life until he accepts his sin. She wants him as a father but will not let him until he will not hide his sin in public. Pearl knows that Dimmsdale will not be seen holding her hand in the public eye and this bothers her. She asks her mother, " wilt tho promise to hold my and thy mothers hand to-morrow?"(105)
The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, includes a variety of symbolism, which plays a significant role in the book. The most significant symbol in The Scarlet Letter is Hester Prynne's daughter, Pearl, whom Hester bore as a result of her sin of adultery. Hester "named the infant "Pearl" as being of great price, -purchased with all she had, -her mother's only treasure!"(Hawthorne 75) As a consequence for Hester's sin, she is forced to wear the letter "A", for adultery, on her chest for the rest of her life. However, the scarlet letter is not the most severe consequence for her sin, Pearl gives Hester the most grief, "the scarlet letter in another form". (Hawthorne 84) Yet, if it were not for Pearl, Hester would not have been able to survive the pure agony of life itself. Pearl is like the wild red rose outside the prison door, giving Hester hope that everything would turn out positive. Pearl is not just a mere token of sin, her purpose is much greater- she symbolizes the love affair of Hester and Dimmesdale, Hester's passionate nature, she is a living daily punishment to Hester, and a living conscience for Dimmesdale. Yet, Pearl is the one who saves Hester from death and Dimmesdale from eternal sorrow. She forces Hester to live on and kisses Dimmesdale to show her filial love. She both guides them and teaches them the true lessons of life.
Through observation of the dialogue and actions of others, she seemingly makes connections between these behaviors in order to draw conclusions about her relationship with other members of the community when these are not explicitly explained. After the custody battle in which Hester fights for the right to remain as the guardian of her child, "Pearl…stole softly towards [the reverend], and taking his hand in the grasp of both her own, laid her cheek against it" (78). This appears to be Pearl’s act of gratitude towards the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, yet it is interesting that this otherwise short-tempered and spunky child behaved in such a gentle manner towards the man. Perhaps she notes her mother’s frantic voice and posture as Hester pleads with the men who wish to take Pearl away, establishing that her relationship with such men is not a pleasant one. Pearl may also notice Dimmesdale’s request that the child remain with her mother, followed by the softening of Hester’s face as her crisis is brought to an end; it is evident that the relationship between this man and her mother is more sympathetic than the aforementioned one. Without hearing a single word uttered, Pearl realizes that Dimmesdale has, in a way, saved both
The Scarlet Letter illustrates that the illumination of self-deception gapes open after one like the very jaws of hell. This is apparent through all the main characters of the novel. Although Hawthorne's work has several imperfect people as the main characters, including Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth, the worst sinner is Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth commits the greater sin because of his failure to forgive; he has an insatiable appetite for revenge; he receives extreme pleasure in torturing Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne, however, has committed sins of almost the same magnitude.
In the literary classic, The Scarlet Letter, readers follow the story of a Puritan New England colony and the characteristics of that time period. Readers begin to grasp concepts such as repentance and dealing with sin through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s indirect descriptions of these detailed and complex characters by their actions and reactions. The character Roger Chillingworth symbolizes sin itself and deals with internal conflict throughout the course of the story. The narrator describes Chillingworth in a critical attitude to reveal to the reader the significance of repentance and revenge by the use of many literary techniques such as
As she raises Pearl to be moral and kind, she also molds herself to be the same way, even though her that is not her main intention. By serving others, acknowledging her mistakes, and working to raise her daughter past her shameful birth into the world, she exemplified the values of her Puritan community. The hypocrisy of those around her, such as the reverend minster Arthur Dimmesdale does not deter her from service, but rather fuel her passion to help them. She did not look down on him for not telling the townspeople, especially his congregation, the truth, but rather sought to help him reform his heart and convert his spirit into confessing his sin to the world. Just as Hester worked to form Pearl into as moral of a person as possible despite the circumstances, she also worked to turn Reverend Dimmesdale into a man of contrition and helped him muster the courage to confess to those whom adored him, despite any consequences. By helping the minister the same way she helped her child, Hester gave Arthur Dimmesdale the peace of mind he needed to finally die. Where divine intervention failed, Hester Prynne
The Scarlet Letter is a romance written by Nathaniel Hawthorne that takes place in the Puritan Community in Boston, Massachusetts during the 17th century. It tells the story of Hester Prynne, who commits the sin of adultery with the minister of the church, Reverend Dimmesdale, and conceives a baby girl, Pearl. Hester's husband, Roger Chillingworth, returns and seeks revenge. As Pearl grows up, her mother learns how to deal with the scarlet letter of shame and Dimmesdale feels guilt. When they decide to run away, Dimmesdale confesses his sin in public and he dies. The story end with the death of Chillingworth and all his belongings and property go to little Pearl. Pearl grows up and probably gets married and Hester becomes a mother for all women in need.
The Scarlet Letter, a classic American novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, contains a plot that follows the controversial life of Hester Prynne, the main protagonist of the story. Set in the mid 1600’s in Boston, Massachusetts, it represented the Puritan society and its ideals at that time. Its rich plot has enticed and enraptured readers for many years, while Historical elements have allowed readers to analyze and understand the content better. The Scarlet Letter is a piece of historical fiction that contains a real representation of the period in which it is set in and is mostly historically accurate, barring a few minor inaccuracies.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is a study of the effects of sin on the hearts and minds of the main characters, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth. Sin strengthens Hester, humanizes Dimmesdale, and turns Chillingworth into a demon.