"She ascended a flight of wooden steps, and was thus displayed to the surrounding multitude."
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Chapters 9-12 Reflection
I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't see Roger Chillingworth as the scary guy everyone else does, I see him as just as much a hero as Hester is a heroine. The very beginning of chapter 9 (pg.107) gives a brief recap of Chillingworth's character since the start of the novel. Telling how he ventured out of the woods only to see the one person whom he hoped to find some fragment of his old life with, after being with indians, standing center stage being shamed by the town for committing adultery. It must have felt like someone had tore his heart out to see his wife standing there. Although his choice to take on a new identity way seem horrible, I saw it as a noble sacrifice in a sense. After all, the man just gave up the last pice of his old life that he had. By leaving Hester he may have spared her even more shame from the townspeople and the church, had they known that her husband had returned and she had bore a child with another the scorn that she would receive would be far worse. Especially because Roger would have to act furious with her which would only hurt her all the more, despite seeing that he somewhat understands how she could have cheated on him. Lastly by leaving Hester he was also left in an easier position to infiltrate the town and simply become a regular man as he carried out his manhunt for the man who took his wife. Had he not taken a new alias he never would have been able to get so close with Mr. Dimmesdale, for he would have stayed as far away from Chillingworth in order to hide his sin with Hester.
In addition these chapters further develop the motifs of secret sin as well and guilt. It is not so hard to figure out that Dimmesdale holds a secret sin within him in these chapters. Obviously Chillingworth sees this too and is only assured of this when he stumbles upon Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl standing upon the scaffold in the dark of night trying to hide their sin. Guilt is also shown in a physical sense in the deterioration of Dimmesdale and more specifically on his chest.
Questions
1. What are the townspeople's reactions to Chillingworth's lodging in the same house as Dimmesdale?
At first they seemed pleased, and perhaps even jubilant that Dimmesdale was going to be healed and continue to be there spiritual leader. However this quickly disappears as people begin to see Chillingworth as Satan himself or at least his servant come to battle for Dimmesdale's soul.
2.What changes have taken place in Chillingworth over the years?
Chillingworth slowly grew more sinister and cold as he aged, I saw this as him growing at an accelerated rate due to the stress and pain he bore as he searched for his wife's partner in adultery. However the townspeople see him as taking on a look of evil.
Devin, I can't believe you feel that way about Chillingworth! I completely dislike him, and I don't think he is a hero at all. His whole plan is to torture Dimmesdale who, despite his sin, really is a good person. Also, he is a symbol and representation of Satan...evil! I do agree with you, however, that it must have been painful for him to see his adulterous wife on the scaffold, but we also should keep in mind that he knows that Hester believed him to be dead before she fell in love with Dimmesdale.
I agree with you Gina. I think that everything about Chillingworth is evil. The way that he manipulated Dimmesdale and tortured him daily was so wrong. While Chillingworth was out for revenge on Dimmesdale for committing a sin, Chillingworth ended up doing something worse than him, making Chillingworth the more evil person.
I disagree with both of you, Gina and Devin. I don't think that Chillingworth is a hero, but I don't dislike him as a character. I love how well crafted Hawthorne made him. He's is the perfect villain in these chapters; a mix of vindictive and broken. I agree with you, Devin, that he must feel terrible seeing his wife up there being named an adulterer and knowing all that that entails. I also agree with you, Gina, that he is Hawthorne's representation of Satan and evil and I think it's what makes him a fantastic character.
I partially agree with Devin, given Chillingworth's position that he is put in. I really like him as a character but I disagree that he's a "hero". Nothing he does seems to indicate heroic qualities, nor the qualities of a protagonist. He is too filled with desire for vengeance for that. However, at the same time, I think that he is part of what makes this book more interesting than just some woman who went against societal constructs. His emotions seem to add some spice or larger source of conflict than society vs. person. So, in conclusion, yes he is an important character that I have come to appreciate, but no, I don't think that he would be a hero.
_Head2.jpg)
Devin, I can't believe you feel that way about Chillingworth! I completely dislike him, and I don't think he is a hero at all. His whole plan is to torture Dimmesdale who, despite his sin, really is a good person. Also, he is a symbol and representation of Satan...evil! I do agree with you, however, that it must have been painful for him to see his adulterous wife on the scaffold, but we also should keep in mind that he knows that Hester believed him to be dead before she fell in love with Dimmesdale.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Gina. I think that everything about Chillingworth is evil. The way that he manipulated Dimmesdale and tortured him daily was so wrong. While Chillingworth was out for revenge on Dimmesdale for committing a sin, Chillingworth ended up doing something worse than him, making Chillingworth the more evil person.
DeleteI disagree with both of you, Gina and Devin. I don't think that Chillingworth is a hero, but I don't dislike him as a character. I love how well crafted Hawthorne made him. He's is the perfect villain in these chapters; a mix of vindictive and broken. I agree with you, Devin, that he must feel terrible seeing his wife up there being named an adulterer and knowing all that that entails. I also agree with you, Gina, that he is Hawthorne's representation of Satan and evil and I think it's what makes him a fantastic character.
ReplyDeleteI partially agree with Devin, given Chillingworth's position that he is put in. I really like him as a character but I disagree that he's a "hero". Nothing he does seems to indicate heroic qualities, nor the qualities of a protagonist. He is too filled with desire for vengeance for that. However, at the same time, I think that he is part of what makes this book more interesting than just some woman who went against societal constructs. His emotions seem to add some spice or larger source of conflict than society vs. person. So, in conclusion, yes he is an important character that I have come to appreciate, but no, I don't think that he would be a hero.
ReplyDelete