Revenge is a Destructive path
...at he is back in town as he tells Hester he must find out the truth. Hester agrees to keep his secret but, “she expresses the fear that her vow of silence may prove the ruin of her soul.”(Van Kirk 25). This shows how Chillingworth’s revenge not only destroyed himself but also others. Although Dimmesdale does not wear a scarlet letter to identify his sin, Chillingworth says he will, “read it on his heart.”(Van Kirk 25). Chillingworth is an intellectual and a doctor. He originally is, “kindly, though not of warm affections, but ever, and in all relations with the world, a pure and upright man.” (Wagenknecht 71) Chillingworth however, “abandons almost all his human claims on society. He resolves to pursue the secret, ”if only for the art’s sake.” (Levin 53). Chillingworth finally realizes that Dimmesdale is Hester’s partner in crime. Chillingworth was living in Boston as Dimmesdale’s companion and personal doctor who eventually after seeing Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale together and noticing how they acted made him come to realize that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father. Chillingworth convinces Dimmesdale to let him move in with him as Dimmesdale’s’ health is failing him. Chillingworth seeks the best revenge on Dimmesdale by appearing, as Dimmesdale’s best friend when he is really Dimmesdale’s worst enemy, so that he may torture at will and in the end destroy Dimmesdale’s soul. Chillingworth begins his path of revenge against Dimmesdale by constantly asking him questions and forever commenting about Hester and Pearl. Chillingworth tells Dimmesdale that he cannot be cured as long as Dimmesdale holds back information and Dimmesdale replies that his sickness is a sickness of the soul and he will not reveal it to an earthly physician. (Hawthorne 133). This torturing and constant questioning almost brings Dimmesdale to the point where he admits his sin by cannot overcome his sense or pride which is the one thing he needed to do in order to gain salvation. Dimmesdale becomes weaker and weaker as time goes on. One night he wanders off to the scaffold where Hester stood the day she was convicted of her sin. Hester and Pearl meet him there by accident and when the three of them are standing there they see Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth is standing there as happy as could be and a red A appears in the sky. Dimmesdale asks about the true identity of Chillingworth and Hester remains silent. (Van Kirk 46). Chillingworth admits to Hester that, “he now allows evil to use him.” Chillingworth’s crime of revenge was truly just a powerful use of the power of evil and hatred whereas Hester and Dimmesdale’s crime was a crime of love. The physician believes that it is his fate to become a fiend. (51) Hester after speaking to the now old and ugly Chillingworth realizes her hatred for this evil man and reveals his identity to Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is at first mad at Hester but then realizes that God could now forgive him for his sin, as Chillingworth is the worst sinner of them all. “ That old man’s revenge has been blacker then my sin. He has violated in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Thou and I, Hester never did so.” (Hawthorne 191) Chillingworth used the power of evil to hurt others. ( Easton 117). Dimmesdale decides to leave town and go to England with Hester and Pearl but their plans are ruined by Chillingworth who decides he wants to come along. Dimmesdale gives his last and most powerful sermon and he realizes he is soon about to die. Then, as he is dying he confesses his sin to everyone despite Chillingworth's efforts to stop him. Chillingworth has now been defeated. At this very moment Chillingoworth now serves no purpose and has no motivation for his life, so he is best off just fading away. According to Theodore T Munger, “whatever a man does, he does to himself.” (Wagonknecht) Chillingworth caused Dimmesdale’s death and this caused his own destruction and death. Hester realizes after seeing Chillingworth that she was the cause for his ruin. “Realizing Chillingworth is the grip of the devil, she feels responsible for another ruin.” (Van Kirk 51). Hester’s guilt it what ruins her as a person and it is not her responsibility for Chillingworth’s actions, he in fact ruined himself. Chillingworth’s real existence depends on Dimmesdale; “curiosity and revenge constitute the obsession that has consumed his life.” (Levin 53). This quote truly reflects upon the fact that Chillingworth became consumed with carrying out plans to make Dimmesdale’s life miserable and gray. Once Dimmesdale is dead, Chillingworth shrivels up and vanishes. It is even apparent in the appearance of Chillin...