The Scarlet Letter

SCARLET LETTER In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, two main characters Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth both have secrets though each suffers different consequences for their sins. Secrets are those that are kept from the public to hide guilt, shame, revenge, hate, and love. Consequences happen naturally from an action perhaps a secret. Sins occur around the world but usually people don’t get hurt from them but this case is different. Chillingworth …

…not speak the truth. Chillingworth is an old physician who hides his identity and is also respected in the community. His whole demeanor is revenge on Dimmesdale. During the story Chillingworth gets stronger and Dimmesdale weaker. In the end the tide turns when Dimmesdale speaks the truth and Chillingworth doesn’t. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth start off on the same level but Chillingworth makes a mistake and Dimmesdale rides off of it becoming the better man.