Scarlet Letter 2

"A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them, and making one little pause, with all its wreathed intervolutions in open sight. His face darkened with some powerful emotion, which, nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will, that, save at a single moment, its expression might have passed for calmness"(57).

As learned later on in the chapter this unappealing man being described is Hesters husband, Robert Chillingsworth whose look symbolize his evil and dangerouse character. Robert Chillingworth's character is one to be feared and closely watched in the novel as he plans to seek out the man who has yet to be branded and punished for what he had done. As the chapter progresses, he makes it quite clear that he will do anything to accomplish this, which poses a threat to not only Hester and her mistery man, but to the town as well. "Thy acts are like mercy...But thy words interpret thee as a terror," as explained by Hester. The mere presence of her husband puts Hester into an unstable state which is unsafe for herself and her child, who cries in pain because of Hesters reaction to Robert's appearence. As we have learned in The Count of Monte Cristo the simple act of revenge only results in self analyzation/regret, as well as bloodshed. Clearly nothing good can come from Robert's over zealous and obsessive nature.

"Be not silent from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him; for, believe me, Hester, though he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life"(63).

The small speech or pep-talk that Dimmesdale gives to Hester illudes to the cowardly nature of Dimmesdale. He prompts Hester to speak the name of the man guilty for commiting adultery with her and indirectly hints to us that this man is in fact himself, Dimmesdale. As a religious man and a stong believer in god, or so we can assume, it is his duty to confess in the best interest of himself and others. However, he can not because he is fearful, and like John Proctor, unable to bear his sin and seeks some sort of self gratification. This is why he attempts to convince Hester to reveal her accomplice, eventhough he might lose his position in society, because Dimmesdale can not. If he does not speak, his sin willbe found by Hesters insane husband and displayed on his chest.