Compare And Contrast Prynne And Chillingworth

There is an old saying that says “opposites attract”. However, this is not the case as Nathaniel Hawthorne pins two opposing sides against each other in his novel, The Scarlet Letter. In the previous chapters, Hawthorne used bible references, such as The Virgin and Jesus and the snake (representation of devil in the story of Adam & Eve), as a basis in the character development of Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth. In this chapter, Hawthorne depicts the contrast between Prynne and Chillingworth personalities as a representations of light versus darkness. In chapter 4 of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne reveals the character traits and personalities of Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth through his use of various techniques throughout the detailed descriptions of physical reactions and, dialogue.
Hester’s physical reactions reveal the intensity of her fear …show more content…
For example, the act of smiling is an expression of happiness or joy that is universal message. However, Hawthorne uses the act of smiling to express the level of malice and evil Chillingworth has towards Hester Prynne. Chillingworth with a disquieting smile replies to Hester’s suspicions of poisoning with, “Live, therefore, and bear about thy doom with thee, in the eyes of men and women—in the eyes of him whom thou didst call thy husband—in the eyes of yonder child!” (145) Chillingworth’s desire for a lifetime of humiliation for Hester’s infamous crime reveals his sadistic behavior as he revels in idea of Hester suffering for her deception. Even as far as to smile and rejoice in Hester’s dismissal of Chillingworth’s question about her lover’s name as he states, “Never, sayest thou? ... I shall see him tremble. I shall feel myself shudder, suddenly and unaware. Sooner or later, he must be mine!” (149) These dark and evil intentions are the kindling flames that shall bring forth disaster to Hester in the progression of the