Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale
An old english proverb states, “ Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance,” This idea of appearances being deceiving outwards relates to the characters Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. For example, through the towns people considered Hester a sinner however she is a good person inside by helping the poor and such. Dimmesdale was the minister of the town, and everyone thinks he would do no sin but in fact he is Pearl’s father. Chillingworth worth gave the idea that he was a physician but he was there in the town to seek revenge on Hester. For instance, Hester Prynne is consider a sinner in the towns people eyes, but she had a kind heart and help the poor . The townspeople labeled as the woman who committed adultery, and she had to wear
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a scarlet letter. The towns people would throw mud at Hester, “...let’s fling mud at them.” (Hawthorne, 70) Yet that did not faze Hester. “ Pearl was the one, as well as the other; and only in consequence of that identity had Hester contrived so perfectly to represent the scarlet letter in her appearance.” (Hawthorne, 70) Hester was for the most part treated differently in the town and in a harsh manner. Moreover, Dimmesdale was the minister of the town and everyone thinks that he can do no wrong, however he was Pearl’s father. He kept that a secret to the townspeople so it does not ruin his reputation as being the minister. "If thou feelest it to be for thy soul's peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer!" (Hawthorne, 55) This is when Hester’s “fellow sinner” Dimmesdale states that there’s nothing none as a victimless crime. “May God forgive thee!" said the minister. "Thou, too, hast deeply sinned!"(Hawthorne, 175) He then asked forgiveness. Additionally, Chillingworth gave the idea that he was a physician but he was there to seek revenge on Hester.
"What evil have I done the man?" asked Roger Chillingworth again.”(Hawthorne, 141) Chillingworth has an urge to ruin Hester if it’s the last thing he does. "Hadst thou sought the whole earth over," said he, looking darkly at the clergyman, "there was no one place so secret, —no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me,--save on this very scaffold!"(Hawthorne, 175) Chillingworth does not show the appearance that he is there to take revenge on Hester. In conclusion, this idea of appearances being deceiving outwards is true for the characters Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Hester even though “committed” a sin, was alway a kind and helpful person. Dimmesdale is the minister of the town and everyone assumes he would do no sin however he did, he kept a secret that he is Pearl’s father. Also,
Chillingworth worth gave the idea that he was a physician but he was there to seek revenge on Hester because he thinks she has been unfaithful to him. These characters in this novel proves that the outwards appearance is
deceiving.
a scarlet letter. The towns people would throw mud at Hester, “...let’s fling mud at them.” (Hawthorne, 70) Yet that did not faze Hester. “ Pearl was the one, as well as the other; and only in consequence of that identity had Hester contrived so perfectly to represent the scarlet letter in her appearance.” (Hawthorne, 70) Hester was for the most part treated differently in the town and in a harsh manner. Moreover, Dimmesdale was the minister of the town and everyone thinks that he can do no wrong, however he was Pearl’s father. He kept that a secret to the townspeople so it does not ruin his reputation as being the minister. "If thou feelest it to be for thy soul's peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer!" (Hawthorne, 55) This is when Hester’s “fellow sinner” Dimmesdale states that there’s nothing none as a victimless crime. “May God forgive thee!" said the minister. "Thou, too, hast deeply sinned!"(Hawthorne, 175) He then asked forgiveness. Additionally, Chillingworth gave the idea that he was a physician but he was there to seek revenge on Hester.
"What evil have I done the man?" asked Roger Chillingworth again.”(Hawthorne, 141) Chillingworth has an urge to ruin Hester if it’s the last thing he does. "Hadst thou sought the whole earth over," said he, looking darkly at the clergyman, "there was no one place so secret, —no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me,--save on this very scaffold!"(Hawthorne, 175) Chillingworth does not show the appearance that he is there to take revenge on Hester. In conclusion, this idea of appearances being deceiving outwards is true for the characters Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Hester even though “committed” a sin, was alway a kind and helpful person. Dimmesdale is the minister of the town and everyone assumes he would do no sin however he did, he kept a secret that he is Pearl’s father. Also,
Chillingworth worth gave the idea that he was a physician but he was there to seek revenge on Hester because he thinks she has been unfaithful to him. These characters in this novel proves that the outwards appearance is
deceiving.