Nathaniel Hawthorne in his gothic romance novel, The Scarlet Letter (1850), depicts the life and the hypocrisy of the Puritan communities in the colonial days. In the novel, protagonist Hester Prynne must wear a scarlet A on her bosom to mark the guilt adulterous sin she committed with Arthur Dimmesdale, a Puritan minister, while her thought-to-be long gone husband, Roger Chillingworth, is on the hunt to seek revenge. Hawthorne’s use of dramatic irony builds suspense and tension as he divulges how Roger Chillingworth is greatly admired by the naive Puritans who see him as God’s angel. However, the audience is well aware of his true, hostile intentions towards Mr. Dimmesdale. A group of unsophisticated people will often times believe anything that is presented to them. Hawthorne mentions “... Roger Chillingworth made his advent to the town” (124) to emphasize the
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The townspeople were greatly enthusiastic about Chillingworth’s arrival and appearance, but not Dimmesdale. As soon as Roger Chillingworth saw that Dimmesdale was in a poor state of health, he “was anxious to attempt the cure” (125) which only arose suspicion in Dimmesdale because he was quick-witted enough to see Chillingworth's true iniquitous actions as soon as he arrived in town. However, “Mr. Dimmesdale gently repelled their entreaties” (125) to signify that he declined Chillingworth’s offer to care and treat him until his state of health was better. Dimmesdale’s decline rose question throughout the community because it seemed illogical that Dimmesdale, evidently in need of help, rejected Chillingworth’s proposal. The community began to suspect of something that involved both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, but could not fully identify what it was yet. Ultimately, how long can Dimmesdale continue saying no before the colonists find out what he was truly involved in? A sinful
The townspeople were greatly enthusiastic about Chillingworth’s arrival and appearance, but not Dimmesdale. As soon as Roger Chillingworth saw that Dimmesdale was in a poor state of health, he “was anxious to attempt the cure” (125) which only arose suspicion in Dimmesdale because he was quick-witted enough to see Chillingworth's true iniquitous actions as soon as he arrived in town. However, “Mr. Dimmesdale gently repelled their entreaties” (125) to signify that he declined Chillingworth’s offer to care and treat him until his state of health was better. Dimmesdale’s decline rose question throughout the community because it seemed illogical that Dimmesdale, evidently in need of help, rejected Chillingworth’s proposal. The community began to suspect of something that involved both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, but could not fully identify what it was yet. Ultimately, how long can Dimmesdale continue saying no before the colonists find out what he was truly involved in? A sinful