Roger Chillingworth As The Devil In The Scarlet Letter

The devil, a religious symbol of pure evil and barbarity. Multiple instances occur in which Chillingworth is depicted as the devil or completing his work of pure atrocity. Chillingworth was officially carrying out his desired plans and receiving the gratification by inflicting pain on another, this person being Dimmesdale. Once again admitting to Hester his true intentions and current stance, Chillingworth exclaims he was, “a mortal man, whose heart had once been human, but who has [now]... devoted to [Dimmesdale’s] torment” (Dimmesdale). Chillingworth is no longer a man of good nature, rather corrupt by his own mental state. His villainous attitude is amplified as he is entirely conscious of his degree of vengeance yet continues to bring forth as much pain as possible, with little to no remorse. Magnified by Chillingworth’s presence, Dimmesdale’s guilt of secrecy is slowly destroying him, both mentally and physically. While Chillingworth is living out his envious pride and preceding in life how he imagined, Dimmesdale’s sin grows exponentially. This is showcased the night of John Winthrop’s death, the most significant religious figure of their time, in which Dimmesdale finds himself at the scaffolding of public humiliation and sees, “a vast letter A drawn in line of dull red light, [which he thought] had to be his self-absorbed heart playing tricks on his eyes,” for he was facing his sin of adultery head on; other the other hand, the general public depicted, “Angel, [for] good Governor Winthrop became an angel [that] night” (Hawthorne). His instinct to take it as a sign of his sin rather than the community’s loss, is an example of Chillingworth’s mental persecution towards Dimmesdale by embodying his deterioration. Dimmesdale is losing hope of any sense of salvation and perseverance because of Chillingworth’s constant, indiscreet torment.  These actions have transformed Chillingworth from an English newcomer to a representation of the devil by not only Hester and Dimmesdale but a vast majority of the community. As best put by Hester Pyrnne,“the hatred has transformed a wise and just man into a demon,” acknowledging this fact, Chillingworth reiterates, “[he had] already told [Hester] what [he is]. A demon!”(Hawthorne). Being they are from a highly religious, specifically a Puritan community, comparison to the devil is one of the worst insults of the time. It criticizes everything a person has done in their life, and turns the community heads, for association with the devil is sinful. For Chillingworth to openly admit his comparison to the devil and confirm its speculation, it showcases his growth of insanity, presence of heinous authority, and communal separation. Chillingworth’s ultimate judgement stems from the fact that he has transformed into the epitome of evil, through his allegiance to Dimmesdale’s torture and outward position of the devil.  

Dimmesdale, himself, experiences moments in which his hardcore passion towards Puritan customs harmed himself and those around him, but never to the degree at which Chillingworth displayed. Chillingworth tortured a man for the entirety of his stay in this community, while manipulating those around him, including Hester, Pearl, town magistrates, and many more. A man of true evil, Chillingworth devoted his life’s purpose to evil with no all encompassing reason to justify his extremities.