When the plot of The Scarlet Letter slowly began to unfold, it became quite clear who our villain and antagonist was: Chillingworth. There's no doubt that as soon as everyone noticed his true motives, he was dubbed the villain of the story, especially seeing that there was no other - or others - to receive such infamous title, or was there?
While Chillingworth proved to be quite the villain, basically making it a living hell for Hester and Dimmesdale, the Puritan society depicted in the novel was more than the perfect match in evil. Everyone was so busy being almost mesmerized by Chillingworth's sudden change of heart and his profound longing for revenge, that no one seemed to be paying attention to what the society had been doing.
Sure, Chillingworth is definitely the antagonist, but not necessarily the only villain. These people, who saw themselves as "God's" most loyal followers, were perhaps just the opposite, without them even knowing. As righteous as they saw themselves, they were worse sinners than Hester and Dimmesdale.
Right from the beginning, too!
The first scene of the book, in front of the jail, has a multitude of people waiting for someone (Hester) to come out. Her punishmen was to be upon the scaffold for a prolonged period of time.
Everyone ridiculed her and stared at her in disgust. Not one of them cared to even think about how demoralizing that would have been. That's one thing!
Now, here's the biggest problem. Not only do they punish her then, for commiting a single sin, but basically for the rest of her life (and Pearl's) she is extremely alienated. They make Hester a walking example of what not to do.
And they continuously judge Pearl, basically calling her a work of Satan. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it one of Christian religions' core beliefs that only "God" can judge anyone? I mean, they even violate their own beliefs multiple times. Although Hester did as well, what other sins did she commit? What's that? None? Exactly.
Sure they followed "God's" law, but only how they wanted to. Always judging people, when in reality their so called God should have been the only one they allowed to do so. If you ask me, the Puritan society Hawthorne depicts in The Scarlet Letter are the works of Satan they all thout to detest.
- Juan Dominguez
While Chillingworth proved to be quite the villain, basically making it a living hell for Hester and Dimmesdale, the Puritan society depicted in the novel was more than the perfect match in evil. Everyone was so busy being almost mesmerized by Chillingworth's sudden change of heart and his profound longing for revenge, that no one seemed to be paying attention to what the society had been doing.
Sure, Chillingworth is definitely the antagonist, but not necessarily the only villain. These people, who saw themselves as "God's" most loyal followers, were perhaps just the opposite, without them even knowing. As righteous as they saw themselves, they were worse sinners than Hester and Dimmesdale.
Right from the beginning, too!
The first scene of the book, in front of the jail, has a multitude of people waiting for someone (Hester) to come out. Her punishmen was to be upon the scaffold for a prolonged period of time.
Everyone ridiculed her and stared at her in disgust. Not one of them cared to even think about how demoralizing that would have been. That's one thing!
Now, here's the biggest problem. Not only do they punish her then, for commiting a single sin, but basically for the rest of her life (and Pearl's) she is extremely alienated. They make Hester a walking example of what not to do.
And they continuously judge Pearl, basically calling her a work of Satan. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it one of Christian religions' core beliefs that only "God" can judge anyone? I mean, they even violate their own beliefs multiple times. Although Hester did as well, what other sins did she commit? What's that? None? Exactly.
Sure they followed "God's" law, but only how they wanted to. Always judging people, when in reality their so called God should have been the only one they allowed to do so. If you ask me, the Puritan society Hawthorne depicts in The Scarlet Letter are the works of Satan they all thout to detest.
- Juan Dominguez