The Scarlet Letter
what are effects of sin on Chillingworth?
include observations made by hawthrone in the last chapter
include observations made by hawthrone in the last chapter
Chillingworth committed the sin of revenge, and he took his revenge without shame or sympathy. He was mentally cruel and purposefully prolonged the preacher's suffering. Unfortunately for Chillingworth, Dimmesdale's confession frees the preacher and leaves his tormentor without purpose.
"Nothing was more remarkable than the change which took place, almost immediately after Mr. Dimmesdale’s death, in the appearance and demeanour of the old man known as Roger Chillingworth. All his strength and energy — all his vital and intellectual force — seemed at once to desert him, insomuch that he positively withered up, shrivelled away and almost vanished from mortal sight, like an uprooted weed that lies wilting in the sun. This unhappy man had made the very principle of his life to consist in the pursuit and systematic exercise revenge; and when, by its completest triumph consummation that evil principle was left with no further material to support it — when, in short, there was no more Devil’s work on earth for him to do, it only remained for the unhumanised mortal to betake himself whither his master would find him tasks enough, and pay him his wages duly."
The Scarlet Letter/ Chapter 24