Abstract This paper discusses how, in the beginning of the story, Roger Chillingworth comes across as a cold-hearted character. Early in the novel, Chillingworth is depicted as a neglectful husband, whose unfulfilled promise to join his wife in the New World led Hester to commit adultery. However, it shows how, as "The Scarlet Letter" progresses, Roger Chillingworth becomes more of a pitiful character than an evil one.
From the Paper "Chillingworth is physically deformed; his shoulders are unnaturally stooped. Once he realizes Hester is pregnant with another man's child, he is bent on seeking revenge. Chillingworth devotes his power and attention to the degradation of his wife and her lover, using his status as a doctor to assume a mask of respectability. However, his efforts are in vain. The town sees Chillingworth for the leech that he is. Roger Chillingworth is the cold-hearted, nefarious man that Hawthorne paints him out to be, because he favors revenge over truth, justice, and forgiveness. However, Chillingworth thinks, acts, and feels out of pain and jealousy, for he feels his wife has betrayed him. Although Roger Chillingworth is the embodiment of evil in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, he also evokes pity, as he has no inner strength."
This paper provides an analysis of the portrayals of love and hate in "The Scarlet Letter". Relationships are explored and examined using the various interactions between three main characters: Hester, Dimmesdale and Chillingworth.
1,255 words (approx. 5 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 42.95
Abstract This paper analyzes relationships in Nathanial Hawthorne's classic tale of passion, sin and redemption, The Scarlet Letter. The author looks at the fine line between love and hate between Hester Prynne and the Reverend Dimmesdale, Hester and Roger Chillingworth, and between Hester and her fellow townspeople.
From the Paper "In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, love and hate are two issues that appear indistinguishable at times. In this story, Hester Prynne wears a scarlet letter for the adultery she committed with Reverend Dimmesdale while she was married to Roger Chillingworth. The details of this emerge as the story progresses, and the story culminates in Dimmesdale passionately declaring his sin, and later dies after his premeditated confession, while Chillingworth dies soon after. As the above quote says, love and hate ?each leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his subject.? This literally means that the passion and feelings do not differ whether they are intended in love or hate. To love or hate a person with a passion indubitably results in the same feelings, and when the subject of these feelings disappears, the passion felt remains the same."
Abstract This paper explores the motives behind the actions of the three main characters in the story, "The Scarlet Letter." Dimmesdale, Chillingworth and Hester's characters are delved into in order to give the reader a better understanding why the story unfolds as it does. Each of these characters has a hidden agenda, and in many cases this is influenced by certain character traits that they have managed to keep hidden from the public's view. Using several examples from the story, the author illustrates how despite great hardship, Hester maintains her personal dignity and honesty, while the male character's are constantly at war with their public and personal personas.
From the Paper \\\"Fortunately for Chillingworth, Arthur's conscience is progressively winning the battle against his front of respectability. But unfortunately for Chillingworth, Arthur may not give in the way he predicts or hopes. In fact, the moment of truth comes when Chillingworth is engrossed with some other business and he appears at the scaffold area just in time to hear the dying clergyman's pronouncement of sin. Chillingworth receives total justice through this intense suffering in both Arthur and Hester, but nothing farther in the inner world. Arthur falls, not into his vengeful hands, but into the Creator's alone to whom Arthur sinned. Death enables Arthur to escape Chillingworth's revenge: ?Hadst thou sought the whole earth over ... There was no one place so secret ? no high place nor lowly place where thou couldst have escaped me ? save on this very scaffold!? (Ch 23)\\\"
Abstract This paper analyzes the four main characters of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" and provides a historical view of what was expected from members of a Puritan society. It looks at how, although Hester Prynne, Pearl, Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale all turn from their societal obligations in the novel, each character depends on another's ability to fulfill their role for salvation.
From the Paper "As a mother Hester Prynne is a strong example in the contemporary world, but in the time setting of the novel she is unfit to mother the child. Several times she had almost lost the wild Pearl to a household that would raise the child to be a subservient, noble and God-fearing woman. Hull writes, "To convince Bellingham to let Hester keep Pearl, Dimmesdale reverts to the same claim that the child has been 'sent' with an intended meaning, though the meaning he interprets is different from Hester's. Pearl 'was meant for a blessing; for the one blessing of her life! It was meant, doubtless, as the mother herself hath told us, for a retribution too; a torture' (114)" (5). "
Abstract This paper analyzes the main character in Hawthorne's novel and so proves that Roger Chillingworth is a believable villain, contrary to popular belief. The author does so by comparing and drawing parallels of the character to recognized modern era villains.
From the Paper "It has been argued many times and with much success that Roger Chillingworth is an unrealistic villain. The doubters argue that he is too melodramatic as well as being too one-dimensional and because of this, he is unbelievable. However, these opinions are wrong. To better examine why they are wrong, a broader view of villains, crooks, and enemies needs to be taken. An analysis of Chillingworth's character needs to be accomplished, and lastly, an examination of Nathaniel Hawthorne and his writing needs to be conducted. Chillingworth is in fact a believable villain and through the reasoning provided it will become more apparent to both the layman and the avid reader."
Abstract This paper analyzes Hawthorne's characterization of Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth in the novel "The Scarlet Letter." The paper examines the concept of sin, judgement and punishment as illustrated in Hawthorne's characterization of these characters. The paper argues that while all three are guilty of sin, only the evil deeds of Chillingworth are without redemption or salvation.
From the Paper "The Scarlet Letter. Introduction. The Puritan era during which the action of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" takes place embodied a society in which the individual and his or her actions were often pitted against a social order determined to stamp out behaviors it considered immoral. Hester Prynne is pilloried by the town fathers for having committed adultery."
Tags: Puritan, adultery, God, penance, conscience, love, human nature, Satan, Massachusetts, marriage, suffering, vengeance, revenge, religion, social mores, morality
From the Paper "The Romantic Movement in American literature greatly expanded the love story genre. In Hawthorne's novel The
Scarlet Letter he writes of adultery in a Puritan village. The story deals with the relationship between
Hester Prynne, a young bride awaiting her husband, and Arthur Dimmesdale, an inspired Puritan minister who
is beloved by the populace. Do Hester and Dimmesdale truly love each other? Hester does indeed love
Dimmesdale, but the love is not returned by the preacher.
It is obvious from the beginning that Hester loves Dimmesdale. When she is being grilled for the identity of the father of her child in front of the entire village, she cares for him enough to refuse to reveal his identity. When
offered the chance to remove the scarlet letter "A" if she will but speak his name and repent, she stands up to
the crowd and refuses to give in to its pressure."
Abstract Elaborates on the question of sin in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter". The author reveals that what is viewed as sinful throughout the book has underlying connotations and meanings. The author discusses this with reference to the two main characters of the book.
From the Paper "Hawthorne seems to intimate throughout the Scarlet Letter that what Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale shared wasn?t quite as sinful as is supposed. Many passages in the book tend to substantiate this premise. In short, I wish to reiterate some of these passages and rationalize using them in support of this paper's overall theme."
Tags: adultery, hawthorne, prynne, dimmesdale, hester, chillingworth, love
Abstract This paper is a literary analysis of Nathanial Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlett Letter". The author discusses the heroic attributes of the main character, Hester Prynne, how she evolves through the tale, and how she values those she loves and wishes to protect.
From the Paper "Hester Prynne is a selfless heroine of literature. Her character raises many questions about morals, love and dignity and many might argue that she is not a heroine at all. Some may view Hester's actions as silly youthful pride. However, Hester's pride is not silly, it is to be admired. Even as an old lady, far from youthfulness, Hester returns to the village and bravely wears her "A" again."
Abstract This paper highlights and interprets the major symbols in the book such as the characters' names, the characters' functions, the setting, the rosebush, the scaffold, color and the scarlet letter. The paper also discusses the dichotomy of the town/forest and day/night in the novel and connects the different symbols to major aspects of the story, such as plot, character and theme.
From the Paper "In the novel, characters? names are very significant because they are meaningful and give the reader an idea of the characters? personalities. One important character is Reverend Dimmesdale, whose name suggests that he is a dim man. This is true of him. He does not see things clearly and does not understand things the way he should. Throughout the book he is said to be in a "maze" (167), which shows that he is always in a state of confusion. The community, also, sees him dimly. They do not see him for who he really is. Dimmesdale told them he was the sinner but the community "heard it all, and did but reverence him the more" (119). Instead of starting up a riot as Dimmesdale expected, they looked up to him as a hero."
From the Paper "In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, the character Roger Chillingworth is clearly the epitome of sin. In this regard, Chillingworth is more sinful than the other characters in the novel--notably Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester and Dimmesdale have had a secret, adulterous relationship with one another, and Dimmesdale further sins by trying to conceal his shame and guilt. However, the sins of Chillingworth are far more serious, because, unlike either Hester or Dimmesdale, he is incapable of love and is therefore driven to hate. His hatred causes him to commit the harshest sin of The Scarlet Letter, that of seeking revenge against Dimmesdale. The minister Dimmesdale deeply regrets his sin, even though he is afraid to confess it in public. Hester's sin is less severe in view of the fact that she is a victim of both her society and her ..."
Abstract In "The Scarlet Letter", Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about the lives and interactions of Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale; three characters in a Puritan society who are affected by adulterous actions. This paper provides an indepth view of each of the three characters and how they relate to each other. In addition, it examines the main symbols and metaphors in Hawthorne's novel and concludes with a look at the negative aspects of the Puritan society in which the characters lived.
From the Paper "Hawthorne uses symbolism to show how Puritanism is hypocritical and that Puritan religious viewpoints are unnatural. He does this through using contrasting natural and religious symbols in the descriptions of Pearl. He uses the backdrop of the natural world to show that not only is Pearl unidentified in the Puritan culture, but she is also above it.
Hawthorne describes Pearl as a "lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion" (Hawthorne, p.81). This "rank luxuriance" is based on the harsh Puritan morals, which describe Pearl as a mistake or an outcast even though she has done nothing wrong."
Abstract In "The Scarlet Letter", a tale of deception, hypocrisy and revenge, Nathaniel Hawthorne reveals some of the minor flaws of human nature as well as a very dark and vile side of it. The paper analyzes the characters of three protagonists in the novel who commit sins: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth. The paper shows that whereas two of these characters commit their sins as an innocent mistake, only one deliberately and continually transgresses in an abominable endeavor for self-gratification.
From the Paper "Hester and Dimmesdale both commit adultery and they deeply regret it. They regret a sin that should not affect anyone beside themselves, and is the business of no other but the two of them. Meanwhile, Chillingworth perpetrates a sin that is so devilishly planned out, it focuses on the wounding of Dimmesdale. It is no longer a matter of revenge. It is a scandalous means of survival by watching the anguish of helpless people. This leech is not satisfied until he has brought destruction upon Dimmesdale. He relishes and remains lively in his old age only by sucking out energy from the feeble Dimmesdale. Chillingworth's sin is by far the worst because, unlike Hester and Dimmesdale's sin, its sole objective is of the injuring of another human being."
Abstract This paper analyzes the "Scarlett Letter" and the sins of its characters. The paper specifically claims that Dimmesdale believed he was damned, not because of the adultery he committed, but because he and Hester lost reverence for each other's souls.
From the Paper "While he is under Dr. Chillingworth's care, being further tormented by him as well, they discuss sin and confession. Dimmesdale at this point, wants to believe that he is doing some good in the community by not confessing. He tells Chillingworth that some men don?t confess their sins because they have "a zeal for God's glory and man's welfare, they shrink from displaying themselves black and filthy in the view of men; because, thenceforward, no good can be achieved by them" (1457). Ironically, by trying to hide his true feelings from himself, he further reveals his sins to his enemy".
