The Changing of Chillingworth throughout The Scarlet Letter Essays

In Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the deceptive Roger Chillingworth could most certainly be considered a morally ambiguous character. Throughout the novel, Roger Chillingworth everlastingly remains misleading as to whether he lies on the side of good or evil. Even at the end of The Scarlet Letter, the knowledge of Roger Chillingworth is extremely nebulous. The mysterious Roger Chillingworth, although ultimately emanating to be evil, attests to be a challenge when determining his morality. Roger Chillingworth attempts to beguile us by enacting the role of a physician, and ensconces his relationship with Hester Prynne. He lives with Arthur Dimmesdale, vindicating that he is serving Arthur Dimmesdale a helpful medicine, while

Nathaniel Hawthorne crammed The Scarlet Letter with religious symbolism. One of the most interesting symbols is that of Chillingworth as the devil. All through the novel there are numerous indications and relations that verify the fact that Chillingworth is a delegate for the king of darkness.

Physically deformed and mysterious, Roger Chillingworth finally met his wife after being separated from her for almost two years.  He showed no great anger towards her and took upon himself some of the accountability saying it was “...my folly and thy weakness,” (Hawthorne 52) which was the cause of Hester's sin.  Chillingworth's only feeling was one of revenge towards the man who had been Hester's lover.  Chillingworth was obsessed by hate and revenge so much that when Dimmesdale died “... the life seemed to have departed...” (Hawthorne 72) from him and he died within a year of Dimmesdale's death.  Chillingworth never felt guilt or attempted repentance because he “... violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart.” (Hawthorne 133).  He sought to destroy Dimmesdale's

Typically, doctors are kind, loving, wise, and caring. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the complete opposite personality is revealed through the doctor. Roger Chillingworth is a major symbol of evil and the devil in The Scarlet Letter. Not only is Roger a source of evil, he tries to change other people’s views of themselves and their actions. This can be seen in how Roger is slowly killing Rev. Dimmesdale with his evil.

Both Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale decay internally and externally throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Chillingworth allows revenge to consume his soul, and Dimmesdale is tortured by his hidden guilt. During the novel, a visible change in physical appearance is greatly noticeable, and the characters’ emotional change is even more drastic. Hawthorne uses these characters as an example of the devastating psychological effects of guilt and sin, the novel’s central theme.

He was Hester's husband and he never returned to her, which was shamed in the Puritan society. He didn't want anyone knowing his true identity, so he assumed the name Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth is known as the greatest doctor in their town, and in many of the surrounding towns. He lives this life kind of to forget his previous sins and to keep others from finding out. Roger Chillingworth wanted to keep this secret forever and the name he had before "should never more be spoken."(Hawthorn 237). He also disclosed to Hester that he was trying to kill the priest. He described him as being a "miserable priest" (Hawthorn 343) and he tells Hester that he was dying "in the sight of his worst enemy." Hawthorn (344). He is angered that Hester had an affair and had Pearl with Dimmesdale and he seeks the worst revenge possible. These issues progress the piece because they make the it more complicated and the characters, as well. Freud states that people's actions are "influenced by their unconscious" and this is especially true in the Scarlet Letter.

Attempting to hide his past relationship with Hester Chillingworth changed his name. Dimmesdale is ill which is affecting his heart greatly. Chillingworth suggests that Dimmesdale lives with the doctor. The men live in a home near a cemetery previously owned by a widow. As time passes the citizens begin to get a satanic feel given off by Chillingworth. Chillingworth brings back a weed that Dimmesdale questions. Chillingworth states he found it upon someone's grave. Pearl pulls her mother away saying the black man has gotten the minister. Dimmesdale has a mark on his chest that makes the doctor happy. Chillingworth continues play tricks with Dimmesdale’s mind. Dimmesdale begins to have dreams which keep him awake. Dimmesdale blames himself because

Last, but not least Chillingworth was also regarded as a sinner, perhaps the greatest of the three by Hawthorne. Like Dimmesdale, I found him to be a very tragic character twisted by unfortunate circumstances. Although Hawthorne has readers easily sympathize with Hester, Chillingworth is all gray. Moral wise, we can’t blame Chillingworth for his initial shock at seeing his wife Hester impregnated and publicly punished and his refusal to bear harsh grudges and acceptance of both their actions leading to their mistakes is admirable. However, his resentment and anger towards Hester’s “partner” to escape punishment is a fault Chillingworth is unable to forgive, and in doing stages his fall through his lust for revenge.

“ Yonder woman, sir you must know, was the wife of a certain learned English man”. Chillingworth remains unforgiven because he knew sending Hester alone and not coming right after her was wrong. Chillingworth knew that the people would also blame him for what happened between Hester and Dimmesdale so he made his fake identity, Roger Chillingworth,

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.

Hester does not reveal who the man is, so Chillingworth asks of her to not reveal who he is either. Chillingworth does this mostly because he knows that if Dimmesdale, the man that Chillingworth does not yet know is the other sinner, knew that Hester’s true husband, Chillingworth was in Boston, Chillingworth would be looking for revenge on Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale would now be unaware of Dimmesdale’s true identity, Chillingworth also changes his name because he is un-naming both Hester and Pearl, announcing “this woman is not my wife” and “this child is not my child” (Reid Pg. 7). Chillingworth’s main sin in this story is letting his mind be overwhelmed with hate, revenge, and vengeance. Chillingworth seeking revenge appoints him with a God-like, law bearing role.

“A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn and not easily mended” (Ian McEwan). The novel, “ Scarlet Letter” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, plays an important role in exploring the process of tearing and restoring of the character’s souls. The passage from chapter ten of the “Scarlet Letter”, serves as the climax of the novel as Hawthorne periodically reveals the steps Chillingworth takes while he is searching Dimmesdale's soul for a confession. Hawthorne creates prolonged suspense throughout the passage by using precise imagery, illustrative simile, and a hellish hyperbole. Hawthorne writes in a cynical tone in order to get the audience to sympathize with Dimmesdale and feel resentful towards Chillingworth and his actions.

To all except Hester, Chillingworth remains a mystery. Upon returning to Boston and renaming himself, he found a way to fit into their society as a doctor. Since the people have very little medical care, he is welcomed. Dimmesdale has been suffering from severe heart issues and appears to be deteriorating. The community noticed him frequently clutching his chest, Dimmesdale even refuses the many young lady’s, so Chillingworth urges the town leadership to insist that he have a home doctor. The two men take refuge in a home near the cemetery, where they have the opportunity to contemplate sin and death. Over time, some of the townspeople, begin to grow suspicious about the doctor, they seem to notice the growing look

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

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