Chillingworth In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

The character of Roger Chillingworth in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter is one of many different faces. Hawthorne changes the character of Chillingworth during different periods of the novel. As Chillingworth's actions and his motives change, so in turn does the reader's opinion of him, which ranges from compassion to antipathy. Hawthorne keeps the character of Chillingworth an enigma, and Hawthorne uses his narrative to shed light on the true feelings of Chillingworth, as well through the good doctor's interaction with other characters, especially Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale. As we watch the plot evolve, and the reader observes Chillingworth's actions,

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is about a young woman named Hester Prynne, who has committed adultery and gave birth to a daughter named Pearl. As a punishment, Hester has to wear a cloth with a scarlet letter ‘A’ on her chest that stands for ‘Adulteress’ for all her lifetime. Meanwhile, Hester’s husband, Roger Chillingworth, who has been missing for two years come back and knows about his wife cheating on him. He tells Hester to keep his true identity as a secret and decides to take a revenge on Hester’s lover. Throughout the novel, both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale does not reveals themselves who they are and people does not know about it except Hester. As the time pass, Chillingworth has

Sacrificing of the soul and dedication can lead to suffering for some, but meaning in life for others. This is the main theme of The Scarlet Letter,by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The story takes place in the seventeenth century in Puritan New England. The main character of the legend is Hester Prynne, who has an affair with Arthur Dimmesdale, the minister, and they produce Pearl. Hester's husband, Roger Chillingworth is the town physician. He is seen as the healer, collecting magical herbs to make medicine. Hawthorne twists the purpose of the physician by turning these healing powers into vengeance for an unhappy man.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" is set in the early days of Puritan America. Hester Prynne, a seamstress, comes to the New World before her husband in order to prepare a place for them. During his absence, she develops a relationship with Arthur Dimmesdale, a rising minister in the newly founded Puritan community. Hester becomes pregnant. The novel is widely viewed to be a story about her trials and tribulations; however, critic Randall Steward argues that, "…Hester is not the protagonist, the chief actor, and the tragedy of the novel is not her tragedy but Arthur's. He is the persecuted one, the tempted one. He it was whom the sorrows of death encompassed…His public confession is one of

Old Mr. Prynne began his new life in the town of Boston as the Physician Roger Chillingworth. The moment he arrived, the town deemed him intelligent and mild mannered; he always seemed pleasant although a little odd. Throughout the seven years he remained in Boston, his character changed so dramatically from admirable to evil that even those who did not know him personally seemed to notice an evil nature deep within his soul trying to break free.

Chapter 8: As much as Pearl is acknowledged as the devil-child, she is also seen as one that came from god. More Dimmesdale than the other men, they acknowledge that Pearl’s presence is because of God and that taking her from Hester would be jeopardizing that purpose. As challenging as Pearl can be to Hester, it is in this chapter that the reader sees how she is a calming sense to Hester’s spiritual sense. Throughout all the crazy Hester goes through, Pearl has been her one constant for the past several years. This ties back to the rose bush presented in the beginning of the novel- a constant beauty in the dark gloomy time. Chapter 9: Hawthorne manages to establish a similarity between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale; they both work to provide

The Scarlet Letter, a story of Hester Prynne and her paramour, Reverend Dimmesdale, and her malicious husband in pursuit for revenge, Roger Chillingworth. The novel begins in the Puritan society in Boston, Massachusetts, during the 1640’s. The town first ostracizes Hester because of their strong religious beliefs. Hester is then faced with an immense struggle against the town and Roger Chillingworth. Through this struggle she is developed into a heroine, or a woman admired for her courage, achievements, or noble qualities; although she is not the perfect heroine because she starts her journey at the lowest point in Puritan society, in sin. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne overcomes the Puritan community and Roger Chillingworth to defy adversity and become a heroine whom everyone to admire.

The Scarlet Letter is a mysterious tale of intrigue, guilt, and revenge. Nathaniel Hawthorne weaves a story based on Puritan values and the consequences surrounding them if they are broken. The story’s focal point is that of the sin of Hester Prynne, accused of adultery, thrown into jail, and placed high on a scaffold for others to look upon her in contempt and disgust. The main plot behind the novel is that of the secret inner turmoil of the pious Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester's secret lover, who must come to certain realizations about himself. Other supporting cast members include Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s former lover, and Pearl Prynne, the child of Hester’s adulterous relationship. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne uses

In the book, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hawthorne implies that the theme in chapter 8 is to not judge a book by it’s cover. Chillingworth suggests to “analyze that child’s nature, and, from its make and mould, to give a shrewd guess at the father” (Hawthorne 110). What Chillingworth does not know is that Dimmesdale is the father of the child and Pearl’s personality is completely opposite of Dimmesdale’s. Hawthorne calls “ Pearl, that wild and flighty little elf” (Hawthorne 109) to show that she is playful, and Mr.Wilson seems to believe that “the little baggage hath witchcraft in her” (Hawthorne 109). The Puritan society sees Pearl as the Devil’s child while Dimmesdale is seen as someone holy and sent by God himself. This expert

The Scarlet Letter written by Nathanial Hawthorne, is about a young woman named Hester Prynne, who faces challenging obstacles after the crime of adultery she had committed months before. Throughout the novel, Hester tries to hide the identity of her lover that sinned with her, and while that is in motion, more problems begin to accumulate, which makes Hester feel lonesome. Hester Prynne is portrayed as an outcast along with her daughter Pearl in society, and the A is just a reminder of the crime she committed. Although, this seems hard, Hester finds a way to survive and move on through the story, not allowing anything get the best of her, because she is such strong, gallant and, rebellious character. Hester Prynne is described when a group of townspeople gathered on the lawn outside a jail.

The Scarlet Letter (released in 1995) is a movie written by Douglas Day Stewart based of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name. The film is about Hester Prynne (played by Demi Moore) and Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale (played by Gary Oldman) and their love affair. Hester’s husband was presumed dead after his ship was attacked by Indians that let no survivors. However, after her pregnancy from the affair is established, her husband Roger (played by Robert Duvall) shows up, but portrays himself as Roger Chillingworth and his true identity is known only to Hester.

In the Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne does a better job at describing Chillingworth. He goes into more detail about his features and tells more about the character than he does with Mistress Hibbins. The story says “he was small in stature, with a furrowed visage which, as yet, could hardly be Termed aged.” This quote shows he goes into better detail. He only goes into small details about Hibbins and does not go in as much depth. So he explains Chillingworth better and in more detail which shows he explains him

In the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author expresses some profound concepts that seem objectionable to people of Hester’s time. As we explore these throughout the story, there are so many discerning changes to the characters. For instance, Mr. Dimmesdale was seen as a perfect person, yet now it is revealed that he is an adulterer. Chillingworth portrayed himself as a wise person (in p.164, the last paragraph, lines 1-2), but now we see that he is an angry lunatic that is seeking retribution. However, Hester is the one that is changing the most. She goes from ashamed, to haughty, and finally to meek.

Roger Chillingworth as a few hidden motives that are concealed under his scholarly charm and visible wisdom. He comes to town after receiving news that the town minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, has severe health problems. The townspeople are very troubled as the minister has fallen ill because the center of their daily functioning revolves around their religion. The view Chillingworth’s presence as a blessing. He explains to the townspeople that he wants to move in with the minister to take care of him. Hawthorne describes, “He expressed great alarm at the pastor’s health, but was anxious to attempt the cure” (Hawthorne, 72). As Chillingworth works to help cure the minister of his ailment, he reveals his alternative motive. He wants to reveal more

Chillingworth originally struck me as interesting and complex, through his talk with Hester in her jail cell, but he grew less and less so until his character was ultimately stale. I wanted to find out more about Hester and Chillingworth’s previous life, his real name, how they met and ended up marrying, but was met with only minimal explanation and insight into that aspect of the story. By the end of the book, all he can focus on is complete revenge, so much so that it’s almost boring and predictable. I wish there was more depth to his actions and more insight into his thought process (and maybe even less of Dimmesdale’s) to give a better sense as a to why he relentlessly pursued the same man for seven years. I do find it interesting how,