In Chapter Ten. when Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates the transmutation of Roger Chillingworth from an unoffending adult male to a leech-like character seeking retaliation on his host. Dimmesdale. the writer implements comparings along with specific word pick to qualify Chillingworth. His personality in the reader’s eyes metamorphoses into one of a demonic parasite due to Hawthorne’s application of comparings and intensions associating to both bloodsuckers and Satan. Together these literary techniques develop Chillingworth’s mutant from an solid citizen to a diabolic leech and picture his relentless compulsion with retribution.
Hawthorne integrates similes and metaphors into his unveiling of Chillingworth as a less righteous adult male than originally believed to help word picture. His scrutiny of Dimmesdale is begun “with the terrible and equal unity of a justice. wishful merely of truth. even as if the inquiry involved no more than the air-drawn lines and figures of a geometrical problem” ( Hawthorne 3-5 ) . The comparing of Chillingworth’s probe to that of a justice is a metaphor. while the apposition of the inquiry at manus to a geometrical job is a simile.
Hawthorne goes on to convey that. as the enquiry continues. Chillingworth’s methods grow more like that of “a mineworker seeking for gold ; or. instead. [ … ] a Sexton diging into a grave. perchance in pursuit of a gem that had been buried on the dead man’s bosom. ” ( 9-10 ) . The similes reveal that the doctor’s chase of cognition is no longer guiltless. portraying Chillingworth as obsessional in the searching of Dimmesdale’s psyche. The comparing of Chillingworth to a mineworker is extended when Dimmesdale is compared to the dirt he mines ( 16 ) .
In add-on. the “jewel that had been buried on the dead man’s bosom” symbolizes the supposed lucifer to Hester’s embroidered A on the minister’s thorax. The metaphor foreshadows Chillingworth’s find of something on Dimmesdale’s chest at the flood tide of the chapter. Yet another simile is used to depict the doctor when the light glittering from his eyes is likened to “a furnace. or [ … ] one of those glows of ghastly fire that darted from Bunyan’s atrocious door-way in the hill-side. ” ( 14-15 ) . The simile provides ocular imagination and intimations that Chillingworth is evil by the impression that the eyes reveal a man’s true nature.
The concluding metaphor once more equates Chillingworth to a bloodsucker. in which he calls. ‘“Let us delve a small farther in the way of this vena! ”’ ( 20 ) . Together. these similes and metaphors highlight Roger Chillingworth’s leech-like and beastly qualities in his effort to derive retaliation on Dimmesdale. Word pick plays an built-in portion in Hawthorne’s word picture of Chillingworth. as intension suggests the doctor is one with the Devil. Chillingworth’s name entirely evokes the kinaesthetic imagination of icinesss. The family name informs the reader that the physician is a coldhearted adult male.
Suggestions abound that Chillingworth is demonic due to diction entirely. The necessity to derive cognition refering to Dimmesdale “seized the old adult male within its kick. and ne’er set him free once more until he had done all its bidding” ( 7-8 ) . The intension of command relates to the Devil. who is believed to possess work forces and coerce them to make his dirty work. Again. Chillingworth is compared to the Fiend when his eyes are said to be “burning bluish and baleful. like the contemplation of a furnace. or [ … ] like [ a glow ] of ghastly fire” ( 13-14 ) . Burning. furnace. and ghastly fire all imply that Chillingworth is diabolic.
Hawthone indicates that “ [ H ] vitamin E now dug into the hapless clergyman’s bosom. ” go oning the drawn-out metaphor of Chillingworth’s relation to a bloodsucker with the intension of dug ( 8-9 ) . The word depicts teeth delving into flesh in the reader’s head. Hawthorne’s integrating of enunciation into the fresh aids in qualifying Chillingworth as a parasitic devil. The development of Chillingworth’s character is the chief intent of the chapter. and Hawthorne describes his personality before and after the doctor’s compulsion with Dimmesdale’s interior ideas.
Hawthorne’s word picture of Chillingworth extends that “throughout life. [ he ] had been calm in disposition. kindly. though non of warm fondnesss. but of all time. and in all his dealingss with the universe. a pure and unsloped man” ( 1-3 ) . However. after the narrative of Hester’s forsaking of her hubby surfaces. his personality takes a bend for the worse. He is said to be “desirous merely of truth. ” which overwhelms the man’s life. His “terrible captivation. a sort of fierce. though still calm. necessity. ” with retaliation on Dimmesdale. “seized the old adult male within its kick. and ne’er set him free once more. until he had done all its bidding” ( 7-8 ) .
The personification shines a visible radiation on how his demand for cognition of the individuality of Hester’s lover takes control of Chillingworth’s life. The aforesaid dealingss to a mineworker and Sexton besides qualify his eternal hunt. The chapter is a commentary on how excessively strong of a thirst for cognition can be damaging. a common belief in the scene. where scientific progresss were frowned upon for fright of oppugning God’s power. The word picture of Chillingworth is an indispensable literary technique infused into the novel.
Hawthorne’s use of comparings. intension. and word picture transform Chillingworth from a well-thought-of medical specialty adult male with a spiritual background spiraled into that of a Devil’s retainer. trying to take the psyche of one of God’s curates. after Hester’s unfaithfulness was revealed. The literary techniques identify Chillingworth as the adversary of the novel by comparing him to both a bloodsucker and a Satan. Hawthorne’s employment of these devices enriches the text and thoroughly brings Chillingworth to life in the reader’s head.
