Chapters 13-15: Character Changes in Hester, Chillingworth, and Pearl

Personally, I enjoyed reading Chapters 13-15. They offered a unique insight on Hester’s situation. I found myself reading through the dialogue in Chapters 14-15 relatively quickly, as I would read an enjoyable novel. In Chapter 13, I pondered thoroughly about Hawthorne's musings on Hester and how society perceived her. In the broad context of the section of the novel we have read so far, I found these chapters the most interesting to read.

In Chapters 13-15, Hester is in a drastically different situation than when she was first accused of adultery and placed on the scaffold. Through charitable work, Hester is gradually accepted as a participant in society rather than a sinner to be looked down upon. In this portion of the novel, Hawthorne cogitates about the human nature and how it can gradually overcome even the most instilled cornerstones of society. I was interested in the generalizations created by Hawthorne and the individual analysis of Hester’s case. He claims that it was due to Hester’s willingness to remain silent through the discrimination that allowed her deeds to speak for her and change her social standing. Her submission, however, led to an adverse change in personality. This inherent change is from a passionate, kind woman to one of bold character, though outwardly portrayed as humility. It was her bold character which allowed Hester to remain silent, and socially humble, while retaining her inner strength and ideals. This brings me to her defining symbol, the letter A. Hester used this letter to her own benefit. To her, it served as a symbol of pride, whereas to society, it was redefined as a symbol of Hester’s ability to follow a socially acceptable path and repent for her sin through kind acts. However due to her original status as an outsider, and her willingness to remain an outsider, Hester began to adopt a liberal, free-thinking point of view. Hawthorne states, “She assumed a freedom of speculation, then common enough on the other side of the Atlantic, but which our forefathers, had they known of it, would have held to be a deadlier crime than that stigmatized by the scarlet letter” (Hawthorne 149). The ability of Hester to question the morals of society was the reason for her perseverance, even though she did not dare to publicly address it. The effect of all of this was an air of coldness about her. “All the light and graceful foliage of her character had been withered up by this red-hot brand, and had long ago fallen away, leaving a bare and harsh outline, which might have been repulsive, had she possessed friends or companions to be repelled by it” (Hawthorne 148). It is clear that her distance from society has incited a tremendous transformation in Hester’s character.

In Chapter 14, Hester meets Roger Chillingworth as he is collecting herbs for medicine. She has not talked to him in private since their initial confrontation at the jail cell. Through his dialogue, I got the impression of Chillingworth as a character who is even more cunning than he was at the jail. Chillingworth is bent towards the revenge of Hester’s sin, taking it out on Dimmesdale. He is on the edge of insanity, and his only goal is to bring Dimmesdale down. Chillingworth acknowledges that he no longer contains the human trait of compassion when he states “But it was the constant shadow of my presence!—the closest propinquity of the man whom he had most vilely wronged!—and who had grown to exist only by this perpetual poison of the direst revenge! Yea, indeed!—he did not err!—there was a fiend at his elbow! A mortal man, with once a human heart, has become a fiend for his especial torment!” (Hawthorne 155). Chillingworth conveys to Hester that, despite her appeals, he will continue to ask questions and bother Dimmesdale. This conversation was pivotal in completely defining the character of Chillingworth. Initially, I did not see him as a character incapable of any compassion, but after reading the chapter, I have begun to view him as the living embodiment of vengeance.

After reading Chapter 15, I began to completely understand the perspicacity which Pearl possessed. To understand the nature of her mother’s letter A, Pearl devises a plan to instigate questioning. She formed an A on her own chest from seaweed, and approached Hester with the symbol, obviously prompting immediate questioning. Hester responds by asking “But dost thou know, my child, what this letter means which thy mother is doomed to wear?” (Hawthorne 161). This point is exactly what Pearl intended to converse about. Upon being asked why Hester wore the letter, she referenced Dimmesdale action of keeping his hand over his heart. In this response, Pearl shows a great deal of intuition. It seems as if she has already recognized the connection between Hester and Dimmesdale. Hester realizes that Pearl is more than simply a wild child who asks inquisitive questions. She could, in fact, be an ideal companion of sorts, a confidant that would listen to Hester’s sorrows. A clear progression in the abilities of Pearl is beginning to be shown, and this could play a factor in the later stages of the novel.  

Because Hawthorne enjoys generalizing, “The Scarlet Letter” is applicable in many situations, even today. My gossamer thread connects to LeBron James, a universally known basketball player. In 2010, after failing to win a championship on the Cleveland Cavaliers, James decided to leave his home state to form a “Big Three” on the Miami Heat with NBA stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. However, after James televised his decision, he was placed under public scrutiny for leaving the team that had fostered his growth as a player. He was immediately ostracized from Cleveland, with numerous fans burning his jersey and posting videos online. Even the owner, Dan Gilbert, wrote a scathing letter, apologizing to fans for LeBron’s “betrayal”. Instead of engaging in verbal warfare, James decided to allow his play speak for his legitimacy as a player. He led the Miami Heat to four straight Finals appearances, winning two of them. Soon enough, after four years, the Cavaliers welcomed him back to the team. LeBron’s shift from a fan favorite to an outcast, and back as a member of the Cavaliers mirrors Hester’s changes with respect to the societal perspective. Another similarity is their willingness to be independent. LeBron only signed a short contract, showing that he would do only what is in his best interest rather than follow the rules of the Cavaliers. In the case of LeBron James, his situation can be connected to Hester’s situation in “The Scarlet Letter”.

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