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Ryan Fitzpatrick

Ms. Yeaton

English 10 Pre-AP Period 6

2 November 2017

The Scarlet Letter Analysis

In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, author Nathaniel Hawthorne develops Roger

Chillingworth using various techniques and literary methods. In order to develop Chillingworth,

Hawthorne employs ominous diction, a variation of long and involved, and short syntax, and

contrasting images to create a character that symbolizes the evil in humanity.

Hawthorne utilizes ominous diction when characterizing Chillingworth throughout the

novel. By doing this, Hawthorne is able to make Chillingworth into a character that imparts a

strong feeling of distrust and evil. By using words that suggest an inner guilt and malice,

Hawthorne paints Chillingworth as a man “transforming himself into a devil” (140). These

descriptions serve to accomplish the goal of Hawthorne, to create a character that represents the

evil in humanity, as well as the chief antagonist in the novel. When describing the way that

Chillingworth conducts himself, Hawthorne used words that show Chillingworth’s command of

the people around him. In a dispute between Chillingworth and Hester, Hawthorne writes that

Chillingworth “demand[s]” Hester’s response as he “permit[s] the whole evil within him to be

written on his features” (142). It is in these actions that Hawthorne creates a character that is

distrusted and insidiously evil. The ominous diction that Hawthorne uses to develop

Chillingworth in this way is paired with his varied syntax throughout the novel.
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Alternating between long & involved, and short sentences, Hawthorne establishes

Chillingworth’s evolution from an intelligent, affectionate man, to a menacing character. As the

evil inside Chillingworth becomes apparent to Hester, the syntax of the novel begins to fluctuate

between rambling descriptive sentences, and short sentences. The purpose of the long,

descriptive sentences is to establish Chillingworth’s personality and appearance as a man with

“an eager, searching, almost fierce yet carefully guarded look” (140). Details about

Chillingworth’s appearance are pertinent to Hawthorne’s goal of creating this character that

embodies the devil, and these details often come in the form of long descriptive sentences that

elaborate on the traits that show this embodiment. To create a contrast however, Hawthorne

utilizes short interjectory sentences in Chillingworth’s dialogue, highlighting his abruptness and

descent into the embodiment of the malevolence of the human condition. It is in these

interjections that Hawthorne emphasizes the demise of the Chillingworth at the beginning of the

novel, and the rise of this reborn Chillingworth, one who has risen from the ashes of the scarlet

letter. In response to Hester recalling who Chillingworth was before he left Hester over seven

years ago, Chillingworth questions Hester, “and what am I now?... I have already told thee what

I am! A fiend! Who made me so?” (142). Chillingworth’s change can be fully comprehended in

this quote, as he acknowledges his change, and is still able to find blame for it elsewhere. To

better highlight Chillingworth’s embodiment of evil, Hawthorne incorporates contrasting images

into his descriptions of Chillingworth.

The most powerful characterization in The Scarlet Letter comes from Hawthorne’s use of

contrasting images. As Hester witnesses Chillingworth gathering herbs and remedies in the

forest, she wonders if the “tender grass of early spring” is being burnt and crushed under

Chillingworth, leaving a “barren and blasted spot” (145). By describing the nature scene around
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Chillingworth, Hawthorne is establishing a feeling of benevolence in the setting. Hawthorne’s

use of the word “blasted” suggests that Chillingworth is singing the ground beneath him as he

walks, making a reoccurring connection between Chillingworth and hell. Furthermore,

Chillingworth’s demeanor is frequently the subject of contrast as he outwardly appears to be

“calm, gentle, [and] passionless” yet all so often embodies “a quiet depth of malice” (116).

Starting out his description of Chillingworth as kind, Hawthorne doesn’t fail to mention the

“active” malice within Chillingworth’s actions. This contrast is included to keep the details of

Chillingworth’s inner evil in the forefront of the novel’s plot. The use of contrasting images is

very important in Hawthorne’s characterization of Roger Chillingworth.

Nathanial Hawthorne’s characterization of Roger Chillingworth is achieved by varying

syntax structures, describing Chillingworth with ominous diction, and contrasting images of

good and evil. Hawthorne created a character that exemplifies the wickedness that the human

heart is capable of. These strategies culminated to create a character that appeals to the

malevolence in humanity.