Roger Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter Essay Sample

Roger Chillingworth of "The Scarlet Letter is a cold and vengeful character. His repelling countenance and apathetic attire, first noticed in the inception of his arrival to the city of Boston, shocked Hester before she even recognized he was her husband (Hawthorne 61). Since Chillingworth's first appearance, the narrator characterized him as an off-putting figure; his later remarks of malice directed towards the partner of Hester's sin later reinforced this view. At the very end of the story, immediately after Dimmesdale's death, Chillingworth shouts at Dimmesdale, saying, "Thou hast escaped me! Thou hast escape me!" (Hawthorne 251). His desire for vengeance has remained consistent throughout the entire story; His rage blinded him to the point where he would ignore significant ethical values and would rather see Dimmesdale suffer than escape his miserable existence. With Chillingworth being the antagonist, he symbolizes evil and a lack of compassion.

It is a result of human nature; that in every individual, there resides a capacity for evil. We, as humans, naturally encounter tenacious conceptions of evil in our psyche; that we repress, only to escape the grim consequences of sin. In chapter 4 of the scarlet letter, while discussing the partner of Hester's sin, Roger Chillingworth, unknowingly referring to Dimmesdale, says, "I shall feel him tremble. I shall feel myself shudder, suddenly and unawares" (Hawthorne 73). Following Chillingworth's rage, Hester is shocked to see the malice in his intentions, as she previously considered Chillingworth to be a man of notable character. The overwhelming desire for vengeance motivated Chillingworth to torture Dimmesdale, disregarding his ethical standards. In chapter 23 of The Scarlet Letter, occurring due to Dimmesdale's knowledge of his approaching death, he reveals that he is the father of Pearl (Hawthorne 248). Dimmesdale's open acknowledgment of his sin reveals the wicked truth: regardless of the quality of an individual's character or nobility of their accomplishments, the overbearing desire to do what they crave will eventually tear through their screen of discipline.

I believe Hester and Dimmesdale experienced redemption for their sins. In the middle of the novel, the town establishes a new meaning for the scarlet letter, associating the word "able" with the letter 'A' on Hester's dress. This newly attributed meaning to the scarlet letter changes the town's perspective on Hester, knowing valuing her presence and viewing her as another pure soul. The realization of Dimmesdale's redemption occurred when he revealed that he had sinned; this public announcement allowed him to die without the burden of guilt. When finally considering the possibility of Chillingworth's redemption, you will realize that it did not occur. Up until his death, Chillingworth desired to torture Dimmesdale; this desire is deserving of punishment.