Secret Destruction In The Scarlet Letter
Amy Jacobson
Mrs. Albinak
Honor English 3
26 October 2015
Secret Destruction
“Got a secret can you keep it? Swear this one you’ll save. Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave” (Secret by The Pierces). This musical composition makes the exigency of a secret prevalent to the outside eye. Keeping a secret changes someone’s personality, leading them to have self-doubt or guilt until that secret is out. After the secret is divulged, the character affected by the secret are more at peace than they were previously, being oblivious. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne focuses on the idea that having a secret changes a person in inconceivable ways, and that the only way to reverse effects of the secret being withheld is …show more content…
Dimmesdale was the ‘mistress’ in this story and Roger Chillingworth was the victim. Chillingworth was in a constant state of pain throughout the novel, desperately trying to find out who took his wife and made her an adulterer. Nevertheless, Dimmesdale never gave his identity away as the man that made Chillingsworth into a beast. In a frustrated rage Chillingsworth cries out, “ Though will not reveal his name? [...] he shall be mine!” ( Hawthorne 70-71). Chillingworth’s pride has been hit causing him to reevaluate what he think he’s capable of. His once calm and pleasant personality changed as Chillingworth desperately tries to find the identity of the man that ruined his life. Chillingworth speaks of his former self to Hester Prynne, “Dost thou remember me, Hester, as I was nine years ago? Even then, I was in the autumn of my days, nor was it the early autumn. [...] No life had been more peaceful and innocent than mine; few lives so rich with benefits conferred. Dost thou remember me?” (Hawthorne 156). Once a nice kind man, Chillingworth became a slave to Satan in the eyes of the society. Chillingworth lost his identity while in the search for Dimmesdale's secret. Once again, Dimmesdale selfishly withholding his secret hurt someone around
Mrs. Albinak
Honor English 3
26 October 2015
Secret Destruction
“Got a secret can you keep it? Swear this one you’ll save. Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave” (Secret by The Pierces). This musical composition makes the exigency of a secret prevalent to the outside eye. Keeping a secret changes someone’s personality, leading them to have self-doubt or guilt until that secret is out. After the secret is divulged, the character affected by the secret are more at peace than they were previously, being oblivious. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne focuses on the idea that having a secret changes a person in inconceivable ways, and that the only way to reverse effects of the secret being withheld is …show more content…
Dimmesdale was the ‘mistress’ in this story and Roger Chillingworth was the victim. Chillingworth was in a constant state of pain throughout the novel, desperately trying to find out who took his wife and made her an adulterer. Nevertheless, Dimmesdale never gave his identity away as the man that made Chillingsworth into a beast. In a frustrated rage Chillingsworth cries out, “ Though will not reveal his name? [...] he shall be mine!” ( Hawthorne 70-71). Chillingworth’s pride has been hit causing him to reevaluate what he think he’s capable of. His once calm and pleasant personality changed as Chillingworth desperately tries to find the identity of the man that ruined his life. Chillingworth speaks of his former self to Hester Prynne, “Dost thou remember me, Hester, as I was nine years ago? Even then, I was in the autumn of my days, nor was it the early autumn. [...] No life had been more peaceful and innocent than mine; few lives so rich with benefits conferred. Dost thou remember me?” (Hawthorne 156). Once a nice kind man, Chillingworth became a slave to Satan in the eyes of the society. Chillingworth lost his identity while in the search for Dimmesdale's secret. Once again, Dimmesdale selfishly withholding his secret hurt someone around