Summarized by maxims such as “Just Be Yourself”, and “Practice What You Preach,” honesty and straightforwardness towards others are given high standing among our societal values. These values are seen throughout The Scarlet Letter as Nathaniel Hawthorne considered the consequences of deceiving ourselves and others. To that end, when Hawthorne wrote, “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true,” he stated (somewhat abstrusely) his opinion that these values are worthwhile and necessary. Hawthorne supported this assertion by illustrating the effects upon several of the characters in The Scarlet Letter who choose either to employ or not to employ such deceit towards others. The best example of this is in the character of Dimmesdale, who clearly deceived others as to his true nature, and suffered greatly as a result. Another example of the harmful effects of such falsehood can be seen in Chillingworth. Lastly, the character of Pearl supports Hawthorne’s belief by showing just the inverse – that we can benefit by being frank and open with others.
His outward image of devoutness stands starkly at odds with his inward guilt. What are the effects of his deceitful behavior? That Dimmesdale considered himself a worthless, condemned sinner is evident from his nightly vigils of self-examination, as well as his extensive self-torture: “In Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge … He kept vigils, likewise, night after night … He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured, but could not purify himself.” (p. ).
The Essay on Scarlet Letter Hawthorne Dimmesdale Chillingworth
Hawthorne. Hawthorne. Visibly names are of importance to Nathaniel Hawthorne as evident in the "w" placed within his own to disassociate himself from his great great grandfather, a Salem judge. So, it would be logical to say that he took the naming of characters in his literary piece, The Scarlet Letter, into serious consideration: Chillingworth. Dimmesdale. Pearl. At nothing more than a glimpse ...
These examples show that, by causing inner confusion, Dimmesdale’s deceptions directly caused the self-abusive behaviors that eventually brought his downfall. Clearly, as Hawthorne asserts in his writing, deceiving others leaves us none the wiser, and can only bring harm.
Chillingworth is another character who demonstrates the harmful effects of presenting a false image to those around him. The contrast between Chillingworth’s true nature and that which he presents outwardly is even more vividly contrasting than in Dimmesdale’s case. Outwardly, Chillingworth was a concerned friend, striving to save the priest from overworking himself to an early death. The doctor did not reveal his identity, nor his intentions until the end of the story; before that, they were known only to Hester: ” ‘One thing, thou that wast my wife, I would enjoin upon thee,’ continued the scholar. ‘Thou hast kept the secret of thy paramour. Keep, likewise, mine!’ ” (p. ) Chillingworth deliberately masked his agenda of hatred when in public, “It seemed to be his [Chillingworth’s] wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile …” (p. ) Apparently, his deception was successful, because he was considered by all the townspeople, excepting Hester, to be competent and well-intentioned: “It was understood that this learned man was the physician as well as friend of the young minister, whose health had severely suffered of late by his too unreserved self-sacrifice to the labours and duties of the pastoral relation.” (p. ) This image of compassion and caring, however, stands at odds with Chillingworth’s real intentions, “I shall seek this man … I shall see him tremble … Sooner or later, he must needs be mine.” (p. ) As with Reverend Dimmesdale, Chillingworth’s deceit did him no good. As the story progressed, and Chillingworth became more focussed upon Dimmesdale’s demise, the “leech” grew deformed and hideous, “In a word, old Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of man’s faculty of transforming himself into a devil, if he will
The Essay on Of Mice And Men Character Analysis
The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry. This statement explains a major theme in the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. Everyone has dreams, and the characters in the novel are no different. But sometimes these dreams and aspirations can be shattered. The theme of broken dreams reoccurs in this novel through many characters, such as Lennie, George, Candy and Crooks. Lennie and ...
only, for a reasonable space of time, undertake a devil’s office.” (p. ) The above quote also establishes causality – that Chillingworth’s deceit was the direct cause of his physical and spiritual deformation. These excerpts show that Roger Chillingworth was another character used by Hawthorne to show that deceit and dishonesty can do no good in the long run.
Hawthorne also used the character of Pearl to uphold the values of forthrightness and honesty, but in another way. She strengthens his assertion that “no man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude…” by illustrating that its inverse is also true. Pearl did not “wear one face to herself, and another to the multitude.” Rather, she was frank and honest, acting with her own carefree style rather than accepting the personality ascribed to her by Puritan culture. This independence and irreverence was exemplified by her impertinence towards the Governor: “After putting her finger in her mouth, with many ungracious refusals to answer good Mr. Wilson’s question, the child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door.” (p. ) Her self-honesty is symbolically confirmed by her undistorted reflection in a gentle stream. What did this honesty and forthrightness earn Pearl? First, she was at peace with her own nature; she did not suffer from anxiety as did Dimmesdale, nor did she become obsessed with hatred as did Chillingworth. That Pearl was generally at peace with herself is evident throughout the story; and, as shown by the previous excerpt, she was unconcerned with others’ opinions of her. Although she certainly was inquisitive, her generally ambience of lightheartedness shows that she did not suffer from any real inner struggles. To summarize, Pearl’s openness, and her resulting well-being and peace, provides major contrast to the deceit and resulting predicaments of the other major characters. This contrast provides further suggestion that Hawthorne believes we should not “live a lie,” but rather be open and forthright like Pearl.
The Essay on Pearl As A Symbol
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's the Scarlet Letter, Pearl, is a symbol of sin and adultery in the sense that she leads Dimmsdale and Hester to their confession and the acceptance of their sins. A beauitful daughter of the towns adulturist has somtimes demon like traits. She is also the only living symblol of the scarlet letter "A". In another way Pearl also makes a uniwue connection between Dimmsdale and ...
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote that, “no man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.” In essence, Hawthorne meant that in the act of deceiving others, we do ourselves harm and only bring inner confusion. He supported this assertion by showing the ill effects of deception on two characters in The Scarlet Letter, and the positive effects of openness on another. Dimmesdale kept his affair with Hester hidden from the public, and engaged in blatant hypocrisy. As a result, he lived the rest of his life in agony and self-torture. Chillingworth hid his hateful quest for vengeance, instead presenting an image of compassion; it earned him a life of hatred and deformity. In contrast, Pearl was honest and frank; she lived a life that was carefree and largely at peace. That Hawthorne’s assertion is proven by characters in his own novel, however, is all fine and well, but what does his assertion mean for social interactions in everyday life? In many cases, his point is still valid. Although our modern society is in many ways less regulated and certainly less strict than that of Puritan days, there are still similarities. Like the Puritans, we value honesty, forthrightness, and integrity. And, from childhood, we know that by lying, we violate others’ trust and can only alienate them. Telling the truth and “just being ourselves,” is much better. As Hawthorne asserted centuries ago, we are so taught today.