Is one of American Literature's greatest works actually a murder mystery? Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter tells a mesmerising story of human nature and its frailty, but in the novel’s background a chilling tale of murder emerges. In the beginning of the book readers meet Hester Prynne, a young woman who has to wear a scarlet letter A forever for committing the sin of adultery. Soon Hester’s husband returns from his long captivity by Indians and vows revenge on his wife’s lover. He quickly assumes the alias Roger Chillingworth, posing as a physician. Chillingworth promptly undertakes the care of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester’s secret lover, a fact Chillingworth discovers. After going under the care of Chillingworth, Dimmesdale’s
…show more content…
After Chillingworth starts administering herbal medicine to Dimmesdale, the preacher’s health rapidly declines. Dimmesdale's “form [grows] emaciated” his voice starts to have a “ certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it” and when surprised, Dimmesdale “puts his hand over his heart” in a way “indicative of pain.”(71). Additionally, Dimmesdale begins to have trouble walking, eventually needing a cane. All these afflictions indicate atropine poisoning as Dr. Jemshed Khan observes in his article “Atropine Poisoning in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter”. Atropine poison has many symptoms such as: increased heart rate, weight loss, anxiety, hallucinations, trouble speaking, difficulty walking, dizziness, and in extreme cases death. Interestingly, Dimmsdale displays all of these symptoms throughout the story. Furthermore, Atropine naturally resides in the plant, Datura Stramonium, also known as “Devil’s snare.” Considering Chillingworth extensive knowledge of herbs, he most likely knows about the plant and its uses. Moreover, the name of the plant itself indicates Chillingsworth’s use of it since Hawthorne often describes Chillingworth as a devil with Dimmesdale in his trap. Even though poison and torture play a key role in Dimmesdale's death one more element aid in the
After Chillingworth starts administering herbal medicine to Dimmesdale, the preacher’s health rapidly declines. Dimmesdale's “form [grows] emaciated” his voice starts to have a “ certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it” and when surprised, Dimmesdale “puts his hand over his heart” in a way “indicative of pain.”(71). Additionally, Dimmesdale begins to have trouble walking, eventually needing a cane. All these afflictions indicate atropine poisoning as Dr. Jemshed Khan observes in his article “Atropine Poisoning in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter”. Atropine poison has many symptoms such as: increased heart rate, weight loss, anxiety, hallucinations, trouble speaking, difficulty walking, dizziness, and in extreme cases death. Interestingly, Dimmsdale displays all of these symptoms throughout the story. Furthermore, Atropine naturally resides in the plant, Datura Stramonium, also known as “Devil’s snare.” Considering Chillingworth extensive knowledge of herbs, he most likely knows about the plant and its uses. Moreover, the name of the plant itself indicates Chillingsworth’s use of it since Hawthorne often describes Chillingworth as a devil with Dimmesdale in his trap. Even though poison and torture play a key role in Dimmesdale's death one more element aid in the