In all societies today, it is easy to view revenge and greed as a cause for great wrongdoings. As a matter of fact, most actions taken by people are due to one’s want for a certain situation to occur. Many actions of the people in todays world are driven by revenge and lust, in the same way that Roger Chillingworth’s sins were driven in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel. Because of his demanding and vengeful ways, Roger Chillingworth is one of the greatest sinners in The Scarlet Letter. Through his forceful ways, Roger Chillingworth sinned in marrying Hester Prynne. Hester admits that, from the beginning, she knew she did not love him. However they were still married, if not out of love, out of force. Hester says to Chillingworth, “ Thou
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As stated early, Hester was forced into this emotionless marriage but, later in life, she met a man that had her heart. With the bliss of her emotions, Hester cheated on her husband. The love that caused her adultery, however, makes her sin lesser than Chillingworth’s. Although he does not blame Hester for her sin, because he knows he sinned and wronged her too, he puts the unknown man she sinned with at fault. Hester, not knowing who Chillingworth was upset with, worriedly asks, “ Hast thou enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?” (74). To this Chillingworth slyly responds, “ Not thine soul. No, not thine” (74). He knows he cannot be angry with Hester, for her sin is done for love, but he cannot forgive the man who assisted her in her wrongdoing. Although this anger is expected from this situation, the way in which Chillingworth handles it causes him to sin once more. He spends his next seven years determining the man who sinned against him and then concentrates his time in tormenting Hester’s lover. Once Hester’s paramour is willing to confess to allow the sin to cease to control his life, Chillingworth attempts to stop him by telling him, “Hold! … Wave off that woman! Cast off that child... Do not blacken your fame and perish in dishonor” (248). In his words, it seems that Chillingworth is saving the other man from dishonor, but in knowing …show more content…
The repentance of sin is the first step in forgiveness. Chillingworth was never forgiven for his sin because he was never punished like all the other protagonists of this novel. Hester, although her sin was redeemed in its nature, was publicly shamed and punished. She stated that “ When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter… they branded it afresh into her soul” (124). The scarlet letter that was branded on her was a constant reminder not only to her, but also to the prying eyes of her fellow townspeople. Although this was a burden for her, it made it possible for the sin to not take over her life. Instead she accepted it and continued living in peace. Similarly, Arthur Dimmesdale relieved himself of the burden of his sin. Although it is not clear how, Dimmesdale also had a scarlet marking on his chest and he revealed himself as a sinner. It was said that “Dimmesdale confessed and inflicted hideous torture on himself’ (253). This torture, although self inflicted, still punished Dimmesdale and allowed him to feel repentance. This remorse allowed him to redeem himself from his sin and to not have that held against him. The only character of this novel who was never punished and thus never saw redemption was Roger Chillingworth. Dimmesdale realizes this and says to
As stated early, Hester was forced into this emotionless marriage but, later in life, she met a man that had her heart. With the bliss of her emotions, Hester cheated on her husband. The love that caused her adultery, however, makes her sin lesser than Chillingworth’s. Although he does not blame Hester for her sin, because he knows he sinned and wronged her too, he puts the unknown man she sinned with at fault. Hester, not knowing who Chillingworth was upset with, worriedly asks, “ Hast thou enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?” (74). To this Chillingworth slyly responds, “ Not thine soul. No, not thine” (74). He knows he cannot be angry with Hester, for her sin is done for love, but he cannot forgive the man who assisted her in her wrongdoing. Although this anger is expected from this situation, the way in which Chillingworth handles it causes him to sin once more. He spends his next seven years determining the man who sinned against him and then concentrates his time in tormenting Hester’s lover. Once Hester’s paramour is willing to confess to allow the sin to cease to control his life, Chillingworth attempts to stop him by telling him, “Hold! … Wave off that woman! Cast off that child... Do not blacken your fame and perish in dishonor” (248). In his words, it seems that Chillingworth is saving the other man from dishonor, but in knowing …show more content…
The repentance of sin is the first step in forgiveness. Chillingworth was never forgiven for his sin because he was never punished like all the other protagonists of this novel. Hester, although her sin was redeemed in its nature, was publicly shamed and punished. She stated that “ When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter… they branded it afresh into her soul” (124). The scarlet letter that was branded on her was a constant reminder not only to her, but also to the prying eyes of her fellow townspeople. Although this was a burden for her, it made it possible for the sin to not take over her life. Instead she accepted it and continued living in peace. Similarly, Arthur Dimmesdale relieved himself of the burden of his sin. Although it is not clear how, Dimmesdale also had a scarlet marking on his chest and he revealed himself as a sinner. It was said that “Dimmesdale confessed and inflicted hideous torture on himself’ (253). This torture, although self inflicted, still punished Dimmesdale and allowed him to feel repentance. This remorse allowed him to redeem himself from his sin and to not have that held against him. The only character of this novel who was never punished and thus never saw redemption was Roger Chillingworth. Dimmesdale realizes this and says to