Characterization is defined as the totality of all apparent qualities of a human being; however, a person’s true character is revealed not only by their appearance, but by their actions and motives. Over the course Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, the use of phraseology and diction helps to convey the characteristics of the three dynamic characters; Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, and Arthur Dimmesdale. In addition to Hawthorne’s utilization of word choice, his use of tone toward each character elucidates the shift in characterization due to events in the novel. Hester Prynne, the protagonist, presents herself as an independent, proud woman. As Hester was put in jail and eschewed by the town, “The chain that bound her…
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When first described, he is stated to have “a small stature… furrowed visage, which, yet, could hardly be termed aged” and one shoulder “rose higher than the other” and a “bitter smile” (58). Chillingworth presents himself as a rather intelligent man, but seems a bit crooked. As the plot continues, this uneasy tone soon becomes bitter. When describing Chillingworth’s eyes, it is specified that they “glowed so intensely upon her that Hester Prynne clasped her hands over her heart, dreading lest he should read the secret there at once” (73). The eyes, being the windows to the soul, gives a glimpse of what his intensions are in life; evil. As the chapters progress, Chillingworth’s sin of not admitting his identity of Hester’s husband has begun to manifest his outward appearance as he is “much uglier… his dark complexions seemed to have grown duskier, and his figure more misshapen” (108). At this point, Chillingworth has begun his process of tormenting Dimmesdale and therefore creates a tone of malevolence. Throughout the course of Chillingworth’s journeys, it appears he is becoming more and more malicious. As Dimmesdale is about to confess his sin to the townspeople on the scaffold, Chillingworth "thrust himself through the crowd - or, perhaps, so dark, disturbed, and evil, was his look, he rose up of some nether region - to snatch back his victim from what he sought to do!" (247). As the consequences of Chillingworth's crimes have come to fruition, he looks more dark and sinister than ever. Chillingworth most evidently had changed from a person viewed as intelligent and composed to a wicked ominous
When first described, he is stated to have “a small stature… furrowed visage, which, yet, could hardly be termed aged” and one shoulder “rose higher than the other” and a “bitter smile” (58). Chillingworth presents himself as a rather intelligent man, but seems a bit crooked. As the plot continues, this uneasy tone soon becomes bitter. When describing Chillingworth’s eyes, it is specified that they “glowed so intensely upon her that Hester Prynne clasped her hands over her heart, dreading lest he should read the secret there at once” (73). The eyes, being the windows to the soul, gives a glimpse of what his intensions are in life; evil. As the chapters progress, Chillingworth’s sin of not admitting his identity of Hester’s husband has begun to manifest his outward appearance as he is “much uglier… his dark complexions seemed to have grown duskier, and his figure more misshapen” (108). At this point, Chillingworth has begun his process of tormenting Dimmesdale and therefore creates a tone of malevolence. Throughout the course of Chillingworth’s journeys, it appears he is becoming more and more malicious. As Dimmesdale is about to confess his sin to the townspeople on the scaffold, Chillingworth "thrust himself through the crowd - or, perhaps, so dark, disturbed, and evil, was his look, he rose up of some nether region - to snatch back his victim from what he sought to do!" (247). As the consequences of Chillingworth's crimes have come to fruition, he looks more dark and sinister than ever. Chillingworth most evidently had changed from a person viewed as intelligent and composed to a wicked ominous