Friday, October 30, 2009
Chillingsworth Zero Draft
I am going to write this essay centered around the relationship between Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale throughout the book. Although Chillingsworth isn't brought up as much in the book, I was interested by the part he played and his connection to all of the main characters. Chillingsworth's quest for revenge and redemption during the novel engrossed me beyond any of the other characters. Dimmesdale on the other hand has a slow depressing story, yet is the center of attention far more than his interesting counterpart Chillingsworth. The connection between these two characters is both ironic and symbolic. Their stories are intertwined even to the point of death. Chillingsworth's title as "the leech" not only represents him as a doctor, but also represents the part he plays in the book. He is only able to live through torturing and sucking the life out of the man he both envys and hates. Dimmesdale on the other hand is to weak to admit himself but too bold to give up completely. These two characters need each other to survive in the brutal puritan society they have built. Chillingsworth through his torture and Dimmesdale through his guilt and devotion to Hester. The relationship between these two characters is the center of my essay. I just have a broad general idea so any suggestions will help.
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Connor,
ReplyDeleteI don't really have much to suggest beyond the fact that I think Chillingworth--as an ostensible 'minor' character--will nonetheless provide a fine focus for this essay. The first thing you need to do is go back and review all of the descriptions of him. You've already pointed out that he is not really a Puritan (though he decides to throw his lot in with them), and that he has a number of admirable attributes (first and foremost among which are his native intelligence and his cultivated learning). His desire for revenge winds up corrupting him, of course, and his relationship to both Hester and Dimmesdale seems predicated upon secrecy--all of which would suggest that he is a fruitful subject for further inquiry. I'm not sure just yet what larger thesis (or argument relative to the novel) this examination of Chillingworth will allow you to make, but I'm confident that once you've gone back over those passages devoted specifically to him, you'll come up with something good.