Scarlet Letter 4

"How much uglier they were,-how his dark complexion seemed to have grown duskier, and is figure more misshapen,-since the days when she had familiarly known him"(102).

Evil and goodness are two conflicting themes in the novel thus far which are beginning reside in different peoples souls. We see it in Pearl nature and what her mother sees when looking in the mirror. We also see it in Chillingworth. As Hester pointed out, Robert Chillingworth's physical features are beginning to change in a negative way. It is almost as if evil is overcoming his body and deforming his imperfect figure even more. Although he wasn't very appealing to begin with, Hester notes that he is very different from when she saw him on the scaffolding. As mentioned before, there is a constant battle between good and evil in the novel thus far, and not both characteristics beginning to overcome certain characters. It is only a matter of time until someone like Chillingworth is fully overcome in evil and executes his revenge. In addition to this, Chillingworth is also Dimmesdale's physician and has a great amount of emotional and physical control over Dimmesdale which he will use to his advantage.

"And the bond-servant, perhaps, judging from the decision of her air, and the glittering symbol on her bosom, that she was a great lady in the land, offered no opposition"(95).

The significance of the bond servant is that he is unaware of the tales of the scarlet letter, and thinks of Hester as a very well presented and established woman in society. Hawthorne uses this servant to critique society and to present Hester as something other than sinful and overly passionate. In the short interaction between the servant and Hester we are given a glimpse of the outside world and how bad the puritan society actually is. Furthermore, it is also important to note Hester's determination and willingness to fight for her daughters possession. Although Pearl acts as a torment to Hester, she also acts as a gift and reminder of her sin.