Sunday, April 11, 2010

THE SCARLET LETTER: Chillingworth

Publish your important passages interpretations on the comments section of this post.

16 comments:

  1. "All this while, Hester had been looking steadily at the old man, and was shocked, as well as wonder-smitten, to discern what a change had been wrought upon him within the past seven years. It was not so much that he had grown older; for though the traces of advancing life were visible, he bore his age well, and seemed to retain a wiry vigor and alertness. But the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet, which was what she best remembered in him, had altogether vanished, and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded look. It seemed to be his wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false, and flickered over his visage so derisively, that the spectator could see his blackness all the better for it. Ever and anon, too, there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the old man's soul were on fire, and kept on smouldering duskily within his breast, until, by some casual puff of passion, it was blown into a momentary flame. This he repressed as speedily as possible, and strove to look as if nothing of the kind had happened. "

    In this scene, Hester comes to confront Chillingworth while he is picking herbs. She wants him to stop tormenting Dimmesdale the way he is.

    This scene is describing the transformation that Chillingworth has gone through. It describes how he has gone from a scholarly and charming man to a beast who is out to cause nothing but harm to Dimmesdale.

    This quote is important because it shows what kind of transformation Chillingworth has gone through. This scene in particular is a good overall portrait of what he has become. He started out the novel as a doctor who returns to the town he left long ago under an assumed name. When he realizes that his wife is being persecuted for committing adultery, he vows to expose the man responsible for the crime. This search turns him into a monster that can only be satisfied by Dimmesdale's pain.

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  2. "At his arrival in the market-place, and some time before she saw him, the stranger had bent his eyes on Hester Prynne. It was carelessly, at first, like a man chiefly accustomed to look inward, and to whom external matters are of little value and import, unless they bear relation to something within his mind. Very soon, however, his look became keen and penetrative. A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them, and making one little pause, with all its wreathed intervolutions in open sight. His face darkened with some powerful emotion, which, nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will, that, save at a single moment, its expression might have passed for calmness. After a brief space, the convulsion grew almost imperceptible, and finally subsided into the depths of his nature. When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognize him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips."

    This is when Chillingworth first sees Hester on the scaffold. Hester looks at him and recognizes who he is and becomes scared. Chillingworth asks a townsman next to him who she is to find out more detail.

    Hawthorne is describing how Chillingworth looks at Hester. He is "like a snake" looking at Hester with strong emotions all over his face. When Hester sees him, he puts his finger over his mouth hinting to Hester to not say a word that he is in the town.

    This passage reveals that Chillingworth is an old man who has known Hester before. The quote can tell you that Chillingworth is going to find out who Hester had the affair with because he tells Hester to be quiet about who he is. This passage is unique because it reveals that Chillingworth remembers Hester and he is going to find out who had the affair with her. Chillingworth eventually does figure out who had the affair with Hester and he becomes much older than he is shown in the quote. The passage could reveal about Hawthorne that he is very particular in the way Hester views Chillingworth.

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  3. The passage I have selected is where Chillingworth sneaks up on Dimmesdale while he is asleep.

    "It came to pass, not long after the scene above recorded, that the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, at noonday, and entirely unawares, fell into a deep, deep slumber, sitting in his chair, with a large black-letter volume open before him on the table. It must have been a work of vast ability in the somniferous school of literature. The profound depth of the minister's repose was the more remarkable; inasmuch as he was one of those persons whose sleep, ordinarily, is as light, as fitful, and as easily scared away, as a small bird hopping on a twig. To such an unwonted remoteness, however, had his spirit now withdrawn into itself, that he stirred not in his chair, when old Roger Chillingworth, without any extraordinary precaution, came into the room. The physician advanced directly in front of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment, that, hitherto, had always covered it even from the professional eye." (120-121)

    Chillingwoth was acting like a physician to Dimmesdale, since his health was failing. Chillingworth was starting to become suspicious of Dimmesdale and he thought that there was a hidden secret. I think that he transformed from a physician to an inspector over the course of a few chapters. Before this quotation, Chillingworth had kept insistently asking Dimmesdale about this secret. Dimmesdale got so fed up with this that he had to leave the room. The actions of Dimmesdale there just further proved to Chillingworth that there was a secret and he wanted to get tot the bottom of it. I think that Chillingworth already had an idea that he was the adulterer. After Dimmesdale left the room, he fell into a "deep, deep slumber" in the middle of the day. Chillingworth sneaks into the room and throws open Dimmesdale's shirt. I think that Chillingworth saw a scarlet letter on his chest even though the book doesn't support it.

    This passage reveals that Chillingworth is being an inspector and taking matters into his own hands. This also shows how selfish Chillingworth is being, he is using his medical studies to take advantage of Dimmesdale, by creeping into his buisness to find out the truth.

    This quote touches on the issue of guilt. When Chillingworth is trying to find out the secret, I think that this is further killing Dimmesdale and his hidden secret which causes him much guilt.

    This is unique for Chillingworth because it shows his true intent. Some other passages disguise his real personality like this one does.

    This issue will continue for the mostly the rest of the novel between these two men. This I think makes the men hate each other because Chillingworth is always questioning Dimmesdale.

    This passage ultimately reveals that Hawthorne is trying to get us to understand that we shouldn't keep things hidden because the guilt will eat us alive.

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  4. My passage is when Chillingworth tries to stop Dimmesdale from calling Hester and Pearl over to him.

    "Madman, hold! What is your purpose?" whispered he. "Wave back that woman! Cast off this child! All shall be well! Do not blacken your fame, and perish in dishonor! I can yet save you! Would you bring infamy on your sacred profession?"
    "Ha, tempter! Methinks thou art too late!" answered the minister, encountering his eye, fearfully, but firmly. "Thy power is not what it was! With God's help, I shall escape thee now!"
    He again extended his hand to the woman of the scarlet letter.
    "Hester Prynne," cried he, with a piercing earnestness, "in the name of Him, so terrible and so merciful, who gives me grace, at this last moment, to do what--for my own heavy sin and miserable agony--I withheld myself from doing seven years ago, come hither now, and twine thy strength about me! Thy strength, Hester; but let it be guided by the will which God hath granted me! This wretched and wronged old man is opposing it with all his might!--with all his own might and the fiend's! Come, Hester, come! Support me up yonder scaffold!"
    The crowd was in a tumult. The men of rank and dignity, who stood more immediately around the clergyman, were so taken by surprise, and so perplexed as to the purport of what they saw,--unable to receive the explanation which most readily presented itself, or to imagine any other,--that they remained silent and inactive spectators of the judgment which Providence seemed about to work. They beheld the minister, leaning on Hester's shoulder and supported by her arm around him, approach the scaffold, and ascend its steps; while still the little hand of the sin-born child was clasped in his. Old Roger Chillingworth followed, as one intimately connected with the drama of guilt and sorrow in which they had all been actors, and well entitled, therefore, to be present at its closing scene.
    "Hadst thou sought the whole earth over," said he, looking darkly at the clergyman, "there was no one place so secret,--no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me,--save on this very scaffold!"
    "Thanks be to Him who hath led me hither!" answered the minister.

    Reverend Dimmesdale has just called Hester and Pearl to help him onto the scaffold and to accompany him there. Chillingworth tries to stop him from doing this. Chillingworth has been thriving off of Dimmesdale's sin. He had tormented him because he knew the truth. The only way Dimmesdale could escape Chillingworth was to admit to his sins. When Dimmesdale confesses Chillingworth has nothing else to live for. He has thrived so long on getting revenge that now that Dimmesdale has confessed he no longer has that to keep him going. Literally he stops going, about a year later Chillingworth dies.

    The passage shows how determined Chillingworth truly was for his revenge. He had nothing left to live for, once the truth about Dimmesdale was known to the town. At the beginning of the book he was determined for Dimmesdale to be known. He got what he wanted, and yet it still wasn't enough revenge for him. Chillingworth in a way was hiding his identity. He is like the devil, but he continues to pretend to be Dimmesdale's friend. This passage is important because it shows to us Chillingworth's true nature. He was determined for revenge and he was going to get it. Once he got it, he still wanted more. There is not much left of the novel, but this will cause Chillingworth's death. I think his purpose is to show that we should confess our sins, because we will be tormented until the end if we don't.

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  5. "he was lodged in the prison, not suspected of any offence, but as the most convenient and suitable mode of disposing of him, until the magistrates should have conferred with the indian sagamores respecting his ransom. His name was Roger Chillingsworth."

    In this scene chillingsworth is being brought out form the crowd and being introduced.

    This scene is describing where chillingsworth is coming from, and sort of his appearance.

    This is important because this scene introduces one of the most important characters in the book.

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  6. "It came to pass, not long after the scene above recorded, that the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, at noonday, and entirely unawares, fell into a deep, deep slumber, sitting in his chair, with a large black-letter volume open before him on the table. It must have been a work of vast ability in the somniferous school of literature. The profound depth of the minister's repose was the more remarkable; inasmuch as he was one of those persons whose sleep, ordinarily, is as light, as fitful, and as easily scared away, as a small bird hopping on a twig. To such an unwonted remoteness, however, had his spirit now withdrawn into itself, that he stirred not in his chair, when old Roger Chillingworth, without any extraordinary precaution, came into the room. The physician advanced directly in front of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment, that, hitherto, had always covered it even from the professional eye."

    In the story, Dimmsdale starts getting odd feelings when he sees Chilingworh. Chilingworth had intelligence and knowledge as much as Dimmsdale did. Dimmsdale, who was superior to anybody in his knowledge of God, finally found a person who he can talk to and enjoy conversation. He, however, has one secret that he can't reveal even to his friend, Chilingworth. Chilingworth senses that and start asking questions that Dimmsdale can't answer and reminded him about that secret he has. After another of those conversation Dimmsdale, unable to take it anymore, leaves the room and falls asleep. As he sleeps, Chilingworth sneaks in to the room and looks under Dimmsdale's shirt and sees something that made him sure of what the secret was.

    Chilingworth, Dimmsdale's physician, seemed to be helping Dimmsdale from his kindness and respect to him as a good paster; however, this seen reveals his true motive, to find his secret. This quote showed that Dimmsdale had something on his chest that made Chilingworth realize what his sin was: adultery. This passage is when Chilingworth transforms from friend to the revenger that would do anything to harm his victim. From this point on, Chilingworth is only one who knows Dimmsdales secret, other than Hester, and he uses this fact to torture him for the rest of the novel. Hawthorne showed human's character that makes able to fake their relationship in order to get what they want. Also he showed how happy can person be when he/she finds out weakness of their opponent and at the same time be cruel and use that weakness against their opponent.

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  7. the passage i have salected is when chillingsworth tried to keep pearl and hester from showing there affection for him.

    "Madman, hold! What is your purpose?" whispered he. "Wave back that woman! Cast off this child! All shall be well! Do not blacken your fame, and perish in dishonor! i can yet save you! Would you bring infamy on your sacred profession?"

    "Ha, Temter! Methinks thou are too late!" answered the minister, encoutering his eye, feartully, but firmly. "Thy power is not what is was! With God's help, I shall escape thee now!"

    In these two short paragraphs Chillingworth is trying to get Dimmesdale to deny that he has any relation to Hester or Pearl. Chillingworth yells "Do not blacken your fame, and perish in dishonor." He sais this because he does not want dimmesdale to tell the towns people what he did seven years ago with Hester. Chillingworth is tring to keep that relationship a sectet so when the time comes he can tell everyone and bring shame on Dimmesdale. Chillingworth only wants revenge for what Hester and Dimmesdale have done. He wants to be the hero while everyone thinks they are the sinners. He wants Dimmesdale to loose everything, his fame, his love, and his daughter. Chillingworth is going to rip that out form under the lovers and take it for his own.

    This tells us that Chillingworth is a crule man who doesnt care about justice anymore, all he cares about is revenge and taking Dimmesdale down.This passage is very important because it shows us just how mad chillingworth is and what he will do to get what he wants. it showes us how far he will push Hester and Dimmesdale before he gets what he wants. However, Chillingworth's plan does not go right so he tries to salvage it,but Dimmesdale is not afraid anymore so he confesses and repents and then dies leaving Hester once again on her own to face the towns people.

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  8. "All this while, Hester had been looking steadily at the old man, and was shocked, as well as wonder-smitten, to discern what a change had been wrought upon him within the past seven years. It was not so much that he had grown older; for though the traces of advancing life were visible, he bore his age well, and seemed to retain a wiry vigor and alertness. But the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet, which was what she best remembered in him, had altogether vanished, and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded look. It seemed to be his wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false, and flickered over his visage so derisively, that the spectator could see his blackness all the better for it. Ever and anon, too, there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the old man's soul were on fire, and kept on smouldering duskily within his breast, until, by some casual puff of passion, it was blown into a momentary flame. This he repressed as speedily as possible, and strove to look as if nothing of the kind had happened. "

    In this scene, Hester comes to confront Chillingworth about the way he treats Dimmesdale.

    This scene is showing how much different Chillingworth is from his character in the beginning of the novel. At first he was a scholarly man, but now he is like a demon whose only purpose is to cause harm to Dimmesdale.

    This is one of the most important scenes involving Chillingworth because it shows the kind of monster he has turned into. In the beginning of the novel, he is a doctor under a fake name searching for his wife. After he finds out she is an adultress, his only mission is to expose the man responsible. He figures out that it is Dimmesdale, and he turns into a beast whose only desire is to make the young minister suffer.

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  9. At his arrival in the market-place, and some time before she saw him, the stranger had bent his eyes on Hester Prynne. It was carelessly, at first, like a man chiefly accustomed to look inward, and to whom external matters are of little value and import, unless they bear relation to something within his mind. Very soon, however, his look became keen and penetrative. A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them, and making one little pause, with all its wreathed intervolutions in open sight. His face darkened with some powerful emotion, which, nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will, that, save at a single moment, its expression might have passed for calmness. After a brief space, the convulsion grew almost imperceptible, and finally subsided into the depths of his nature. When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognize him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips."

    When CHillingworth sees hester on the scaffold she recognizes him and worries about how he will take her being an adultress. As Hester and CHillingworth make eye contact he raises on finger to his lips and indicates her to be quiet. Hester keeps her mouth shut.

    I feel like this passage reveals how Chillingworths determination to torment is revealed as Hawthorne describes it as.. 'A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them." (covers 1 2 and 3)

    THis begins the three way conflict between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, and Chillingworth and Hester (indirectly). I think this reaveals Hawthornes view on revenge and how he makes it so creative to where chillingworth isnt directly tormenting him but Hawthorne takes it to the next level which reveals chillingworths ability to manipulate without the victim knowing

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  10. I chose the scene where Dimmesdale is going on the scaffold and trying to take Hester and Pearl with him while Chingworth tries to stop Dimmesdale.

    "Madman, hold! What is your purpose?" whispered he. "Wave back that woman! Cast off this child! All shall be well! Do not blacken your fame, and perish in dishonor! I can yet save you! Would you bring infamy on your sacred profession?"
    "Ha, tempter! Methinks thou art too late!" answered the minister, encountering his eye, fearfully, but firmly. "Thy power is not what it was! With God's help, I shall escape thee now!"
    He again extended his hand to the woman of the scarlet letter.
    "Hester Prynne," cried he, with a piercing earnestness, "in the name of Him, so terrible and so merciful, who gives me grace, at this last moment, to do what--for my own heavy sin and miserable agony--I withheld myself from doing seven years ago, come hither now, and twine thy strength about me! Thy strength, Hester; but let it be guided by the will which God hath granted me! This wretched and wronged old man is opposing it with all his might!--with all his own might and the fiend's! Come, Hester, come! Support me up yonder scaffold!"
    The crowd was in a tumult. The men of rank and dignity, who stood more immediately around the clergyman, were so taken by surprise, and so perplexed as to the purport of what they saw,--unable to receive the explanation which most readily presented itself, or to imagine any other,--that they remained silent and inactive spectators of the judgment which Providence seemed about to work. They beheld the minister, leaning on Hester's shoulder and supported by her arm around him, approach the scaffold, and ascend its steps; while still the little hand of the sin-born child was clasped in his. Old Roger Chillingworth followed, as one intimately connected with the drama of guilt and sorrow in which they had all been actors, and well entitled, therefore, to be present at its closing scene.
    "Hadst thou sought the whole earth over," said he, looking darkly at the clergyman, "there was no one place so secret,--no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me,--save on this very scaffold!"
    "Thanks be to Him who hath led me hither!" answered the minister.

    Before Dimmesdale took the scaffold he was to give a lecture to the town. Knowing that he would leave 4 days prior to leaving the town anyways he finally had the idea of repenting his sins on the scaffold and giving one last sermon. Diimmesdale takes Hester and Pearl to come up on the scaffold, but Chillingworth tries to stop him. Chillingworth is a cruel man for torturing Dimmesdale from the day he knew about his sin with Hester, and is now making Dimmesdale pay for it. The only way that dimmesdale can escape chillingworth's torture was to repent his sins to erveryone and be forgiven but this would make Chillingworth life pointless because he can not torture Dimmesdale. After one year Chillingworth dies.

    This shows how badly Chillingworth wants his revenge and how cruel he is. I think that when Chillingworth playes with Dimmesdale's emotions, Dimmesdale transformed into a paranoid person always fearing about his sin. Chillingworth is like the devil because he haunts in Dimmesdales's shadow. It shows us what revenge can do to us if we desire it and the final result will be death just like Chillingworth because we need to confess our sins to live in peace, even when we are dead.

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  11. "All this while, Hester had been looking steadily at the old man, and was shocked, as well as wonder-smitten, to discern what a change had been wrought upon him within the past seven years. It was not so much that he had grown older; for though the traces of advancing life were visible, he bore his age well, and seemed to retain a wiry vigor and alertness. But the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet, which was what she best remembered in him, had altogether vanished, and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded look. It seemed to be his wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false, and flickered over his visage so derisively, that the spectator could see his blackness all the better for it. Ever and anon, too, there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the old man's soul were on fire, and kept on smouldering duskily within his breast, until, by some casual puff of passion, it was blown into a momentary flame. This he repressed as speedily as possible, and strove to look as if nothing of the kind had happened." Chapter 14

    This chapter was about the confrontation of Hester and Chillingworth as to how Chillingworth was treating Dimmesdale and the secrets that lie between them.

    In this quote Chillingworth just finished telling Hester that she should take the scarlet letter off because it had been a long time since she first wore it. She told him that if it were supposed to be off, then it would fall off. He agreed and thats when Hester noticed the change in his appearence.

    This passage reveals the struggle for Chillingworth to try and hide the devil within him from Hester because the moment she notices the glare of red light in his eyes, it suddenly disappears and looked as though nothing had happened. This quote represents the demons within all the characters and the struggle between good and bad. Chillingworth is somewhat the devil trying to torture Dimmesdale with the secret he knows. He attains happiness from seeing Dimmesdale suffer. This passage is very important because for that one split second, Chillingworth lets his guard down and shows the real evil within him. The issue presented in this quote will play in with the rest of the book because the reader will see Chillingworth express his evil side to torture Dimmesdale to the point of no return. I think this passage, in particular, will express Hawthorne's views and purposes by showing that over time, no matter what we do or what sin we commit, all of us will change/grow for the better or the worse.

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  12. "All this while, Hester had been looking steadily at the old man, and was shocked, as well as wonder-smitten, to discern what a change had been wrought upon him within the past seven years. It was not so much that he had grown older; for though the traces of advancing life were visible, he bore his age well, and seemed to retain a wiry vigor and alertness. But the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet, which was what she best remembered in him, had altogether vanished, and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded look. It seemed to be his wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false, and flickered over his visage so derisively, that the spectator could see his blackness all the better for it. Ever and anon, too, there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the old man's soul were on fire, and kept on smouldering duskily within his breast, until, by some casual puff of passion, it was blown into a momentary flame. This he repressed as speedily as possible, and strove to look as if nothing of the kind had happened." Chapter 14

    This chapter was about the confrontation of Hester and Chillingworth as to how Chillingworth was treating Dimmesdale and the secrets that lie between them.

    In this quote Chillingworth just finished telling Hester that she should take the scarlet letter off because it had been a long time since she first wore it. She told him that if it were supposed to be off, then it would fall off. He agreed and thats when Hester noticed the change in his appearence.

    This passage reveals the struggle for Chillingworth to try and hide the devil within him from Hester because the moment she notices the glare of red light in his eyes, it suddenly disappears and looked as though nothing had happened. This quote represents the demons within all the characters and the struggle between good and bad. Chillingworth is somewhat the devil trying to torture Dimmesdale with the secret he knows. He attains happiness from seeing Dimmesdale suffer. This passage is very important because for that one split second, Chillingworth lets his guard down and shows the real evil within him. The issue presented in this quote will play in with the rest of the book because the reader will see Chillingworth express his evil side to torture Dimmesdale to the point of no return. I think this passage, in particular, will express Hawthorne's views and purposes by showing that over time, no matter what we do or what sin we commit, all of us will change/grow for the better or the worse.

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  13. "he was lodged in the prison, not suspected of any offence, but as the most convenient and suitable mode of disposing of him, until the magistrates should have conferred with the indian sagamores respecting his ransom. His name was Roger Chillingsworth."

    This passage reveals where Chillingsworth came from. The thing that makes this passage unique is this is the first time Chillingsworth is mentioned. This passage also shows a character that will play a major role in shaping this novel.

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  14. "She upbraided herself for the sentiment, but could not overcome or lessen it. Attempting to do so, she thought of those long-past days, in a distant land, when he used to emerge at the eventide from the seclusion of his study, and sit down in the fire-light of their home, and in the light of her nuptial smile. He needed to bask himself in that smile, he said, in order that the chill of so many lonely hours among his books might be taken off the scholar's heart. Such scenes had once appeared not otherwise than happy, but now, as viewed through the dismal medium of her subsequent life, they classed themselves among her ugliest remembrances. She marvelled how such scenes could have been! She marvelled how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry him! She deemed it her crime most to be repented of, that she had ever endured, and reciprocated, the lukewarm grasp of his hand, and had suffered the smile of her lips and eyes to mingle and melt into his own. And it seemed a fouler offence committed by Roger Chillingworth, than any which had since been done that, in time when her heart knew no better, he had persuaded her to fancy herself happy by his side."


    In this passage Hawthorne reveals Chillingworth as a dishonest decieving man. He tells us that Chillingworth had actually tricked Hester into thinking that she should marry him. He loved her, but she never felt the same. He tried to pass off the overwhelming age difference as normal, which even considering the time period was unusual. Hester even goes as far as saying that his deceit was worse than anything(including her adultery) that she had ever done to him.


    I think this passage is important because Hawthorne is showing us more of Chillingworth's evil side. It makes us dislike his character even more. It is also important because it gives us reason to partly justify Hester's adultery. Hawthorne makes us want to blame Chillingworth for Hester's adultery verses diapprove of Hester.

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  15. So Roger Chillingworth--a deformed old figure with a face that haunted men's memories longer than they liked--took leave of Hester Prynne, and went stooping away along the earth. He gathered here and there a herb, or grubbed up a root and put it into the basket on his arm. His gray beard almost touched the ground as he crept onward. Hester gazed after him a little while, looking with a half fantastic curiosity to see whether the tender grass of early spring would not be blighted beneath him and show the wavering track of his footsteps, sere and brown, across its cheerful verdure. She wondered what sort of herbs they were which the old man was so sedulous to gather. Would not the earth, quickened to an evil purpose by the sympathy of his eye, greet him with poisonous shrubs of species hitherto unknown, that would start up under his fingers? Or might it suffice him that every wholesome growth should be converted into something deleterious and malignant at his touch? Did the sun, which shone so brightly everywhere else, really fall upon him? Or was there, as it rather seemed, a circle of ominous shadow moving along with his deformity whichever way he turned himself? And whither was he now going? Would he not suddenly sink into the earth, leaving a barren and blasted spot, where, in due course of time, would be seen deadly nightshade, dogwood, henbane, and whatever else of vegetable wickedness the climate could produce, all flourishing with hideous luxuriance? Or would he spread bat's wings and flee away, looking so much the uglier the higher he rose towards heaven?

    This passage is the passage after Hester had confronted Chillingworth. As he was leaving with his herbs Hester thought that Mr. Mutter sorry but I am in the library and a class came in. I cannot finish.

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  16. So Roger Chillingworth--a deformed old figure with a face that haunted men's memories longer than they liked--took leave of Hester Prynne, and went stooping away along the earth. He gathered here and there a herb, or grubbed up a root and put it into the basket on his arm. His gray beard almost touched the ground as he crept onward. Hester gazed after him a little while, looking with a half fantastic curiosity to see whether the tender grass of early spring would not be blighted beneath him and show the wavering track of his footsteps, sere and brown, across its cheerful verdure. She wondered what sort of herbs they were which the old man was so sedulous to gather. Would not the earth, quickened to an evil purpose by the sympathy of his eye, greet him with poisonous shrubs of species hitherto unknown, that would start up under his fingers? Or might it suffice him that every wholesome growth should be converted into something deleterious and malignant at his touch? Did the sun, which shone so brightly everywhere else, really fall upon him? Or was there, as it rather seemed, a circle of ominous shadow moving along with his deformity whichever way he turned himself? And whither was he now going? Would he not suddenly sink into the earth, leaving a barren and blasted spot, where, in due course of time, would be seen deadly nightshade, dogwood, henbane, and whatever else of vegetable wickedness the climate could produce, all flourishing with hideous luxuriance? Or would he spread bat's wings and flee away, looking so much the uglier the higher he rose towards heaven?

    This passage is about Chillingworth as he is walking away when Hester talked to him. Hester half expected the grass to shrivel and die under his feet. Would a poisonous herb grow for him? Does the sun really fall on this man? Is there a shadow that follows him? Would he not sink into the Earth? Or would he spread bat wings and fly away?

    This passages reviles the true evil of Chillingworth. This also touches on the fact that his outward appearance is a humble old man vs. his inside which is pure evil. This one truly shows his true nature. Which is just plain evil. This passage also touches in the theme of outward appearance: as in Hester is outwardly bad yet inwardly good and vice versa with Chillingworth.

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