Dimmesdale vs. Chillingworth
Near the end of the novel, Arthur Dimmesdale tells the following to his fellow adulteress Hester concerning Roger Chillingworth: "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." He is referring to Roger Chillingworth's malign behavior towards Hester and, especially, himself. . In his priestly way, he has just made a comparative moral judgment. Although Chillingworth is indeed the one in pain because of being cheated, I feel that his actions are not entirely morally justified. Thus, I agree with Dimmesdale. Although Dimmesdale committed one the seven worst sins and broke one of the ten commandments (all while being a minister and reverend), he still chose to seek repentance and forgiveness (given ample time). He lived ridden with guilt; this, however, could have been avoided had it not been for Chillingworth. He is, in part, an evil type that has a cold heart for observing but n
. . .
No sword or poison for Chillingworth. The fires in Chillingworth's laboratory are said to be fed with infernal fuel, and his face is getting dark and grimy from the smoke. Revenge is his sole reason to exist. As a wise man once said, "He is all head, and no heart. Somewhere along the line, by intruding on Dimmesdale's private life, Chillingworth has crossed a boundary. The man is evil and insidious, yet his words often have the pure, crystal ring of truth. As far as being cutting with Hester, his kind actions and words later give way to deep and subtle purposes. They reflect the community's reverence for Dimmesdale, and so keep the minister off guard. We are left, instead, with a villainous fiend consumed with hate. Whereas the minister temporarily, in Hester's arms, yielded to the claims of the flesh, he chose the path of repentance, which is more than one can say for Chillingworth. He almost hears Dimmesdale thinking. The fact that Chillingworth isn't willing to forgive the minister only makes him look worse. He takes the psychological approach. " Chillingworth's very appearance is villainy with its smoldering eyes and dark, sooty face. For seven years, he has only one thought: to find and torment the man who has betrayed him.
Approximate Word count =
746
Approximate Pages =
3 (250 words per page double spaced)
Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.
| CREDIT CARD |
ONLINE CHECK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOIN BY PHONE
|
|
|