Roger Chillingworth just explained to a man in the town that he was held captive, but now returned, and wants to be filled in on what is going on with Hester Prynne. The man who responds, can easily be interchanged for any member of that community because they all have the same feelings about that situation, and about sin in general. The man is happy to share the news about Hester's awful sin and punishment. He even states that it will probably make Chillingworth happy to know that people are being punished for wrongdoing. These people are obsessed with finding sin and punishment, just like in "The Crucible." In today's society, we are more focused on the good things people do, not the punishment of people who commit sins.
"Enough, it is my purpose to live and die unknown. Let, therefore, thy husband be to the world as one already dead, and of whom no tidings shall ever come. Recognize me not by word, by sign, by look!"(71).
When Chillingworth speaks to Hester he contradicts himself at numerous points. The situation seems to be that Chillingworth and Hester were once married, but Hester cheated on him and got pregnant, and somehow no one knows that the two were married. Hester is suspicious that Chillingworth wants revenge. However, he assures her that he is on the path of forgiveness and he, "seek no vengeance, plot no evil against thee"(Hawthorne 70). However, if Chillingworth really forgave Hester he would not want to remain unnoticed and he would not be ashamed to be known as her husband. It is understandable that a man who was cheated on would not want to be recognized, but if he truly forgave the woman, then he would be able to stand that judgement.
- How does no one know that Chllingworth and Hester were married?
- Why does everyone need to know who the baby's father is so badly?
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