the scarlet leter

If Hester does not suffer, she will not become contrite or learn from her mistakes. Although her suffering is public, she experiences inward guilt comparable to Dimmesdale. The guilt is illustrated in the quote; "She never battled with the public, but submitted uncomplainingly to its worst usage…" (127). At first, Hester only has penance because she has yet to be sorry for what she has done. She illustrates this in the making of her scarlet letter, "…fantastically embroidered with gold thread, upon her bosom!" (45). She is very proud and dignified. This pride illustrates that she is not sorry, and not regretful for her sin. Her penitence comes after all the suffering sh

Chillingworth is not remorseful; he is never able to obtain compunction. Dimmesdale explains the darkness of Chillingworth's sins to Hester: "'…We are not, Hester, the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest! That old man's revenge has been blacker than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Thou and I, Hester, never did so!'

Chillingworth devotes his whole life to causing Dimmesdale further pain. Roger is so corrupt by his revenge that he cannot see past the sin and will never forgive. He was once a compassionate scholar, until Hester betrayed him. Although he forgives Hester, Chillingworth does not forgive Arthur, and is incapable of doing anything other than tormenting him. His revenge has consumed his entire life. For this reason, he tries to prevent Dimmesdale from confessing on Election Day. If Dimmesdale confesses, Chillingworth will no longer have a life; he and Dimmesdale are interconnected. However, Dimmesdale does confess and as a result he

Some topics in this essay:
Arthur Dimmesdale, Day Dimmesdale, Scarlet Letter, Chillingworth Dimmesdale, According Hawthorne, Thou Hester, Hester Chillingworth, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Dimmesdale, Chillingworth Arthur, scarlet letter, suffering ruins, darkness chillingworth's, repent sins, sin suffering,