Corruption in The Scarlet Lett

Roger, as a member of the human race, is corrupted because he mutilates the ideas of love and compassion. Immediately intrigued by the minister’s physical state, the doctor takes it upon himself to dissect Dimmesdale’s heart in hopes of finding the root of his patient’s condition: “He had begun an investigation […] of human passions and wrongs […] But as he proceeded, a terrible fascination […] seized the old man […] He now dug into the poor clergyman�

With what a ghastly rapture […] bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his figure, making itself even riotously manifest by the extravagant gestures with which he threw his arms towards the ceiling, and stamped his foot upon the floor! Had a man seen old Roger Chillingworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have no need to ask how Satan comports himself. (121)

��s heart […] like a sexton delving into a grave […]” (113). As Roger and Arthur spend more time together, Roger becomes more persistent in his quest for knowledge of Arthur’s condition. A perfect example of Roger’s persistency is a conversation the two have about confession and redemption. Like a puzzle, Roger strategically connects what he learns through his conversations with Dimmesdale, until finally, the last piece—the “A” on Arthur’s chest—is fit into place and the puzzle is complete. Roger rejoices in the satisfaction he receives upon linking Dimmesdale to Hester and Pearl:

Dependent on how each character identifies evil, the increase in the knowledge of evil proves to be their doom. Because Dimmesdale and Chillingworth both view Arthur’s and Hester’s relationship as sinful, Roger and Dimmesdale are corrupted by obsessively being reminded of the lovers’ seemingly evil act. Roger lacks compassion for others, thus becomes obsessed with punishing Dimmesdale. Arthur lacks compassion for himself, and becomes obsessed with punishing himself. Hester, on the other hand, has the perfect balance of understanding and forgiveness for others and herself to realize that the ability to sin is a flaw inherited by all humans. Roger and Arthur become corrupted as human beings because they let themselves become obsessed by the evil around them. Hester does not see her actions as evil, thus gains no evil knowledge. Therefore, she does not become corrupted from humanity.

His inward trouble drove him to practices […] this Protestant and Puritan divine had plied [the bloody scourge] on his own shoulders; laughing bitterly at himself […] and smiting so much the more pitilessly […] It was h

Some topics in this essay:
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