The Scarlet Letter (changes in Chillingworth) essays

The Scarlet Letter (changes in Chillingworth) essays Through Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, we see dynamic changes in the various characters. Old Roger Chillingworth, or Mr. Hester, as he was formerly known, certainly proves this thesis. When we first meet Roger, on the day of Hester's public punishment on the scalfold, he is, indeed, a likeable man. He is a calm, intelligent man who lives for knowledge. He is out to harm none, just to become all the more knowledgable. Even to Hester, his own adultorous wife, whom had done him most wrong in the world, even to she he is gentle and, although perhaps a bit harsh with words (which, given the cercumstances, is understandable), healing. In the beginning, Roger Chillingworth is a wise, good old man. Yet, through the years, a changes comes over him. On the day of the scalfold on which he last spoke to Hester for a good many years he told her, as she would not confess it,he told her that he would know the man that so wronged him. And indeed, he did find the man, and even made himself a friend, physician, and confident to him. As if by an act of providence, the two men, this Minister Dimmsdale and our own Roger Chillingworth, were brought together. For years Roger spends his time picking at the minister, poking and probing his mind and heart, trying to move him to confession, under the guise of concerned doctor or friend. And, in due time, Roger loses that calm kindness, that knowledgable peacefulness that once was his nature. He becomes instead malicious, diabolical, plotting and vengeful. His very life begins to revolve around not learning, but avenging himself on Dimmsdale. And thus, good old Mr. Roger Chillingworth, by letting hate seep into his heart, turns to a men ancing feind. ...