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Student Name

Ms. White

Communication Arts III College Prep

21 September 2009

The Scarlet Letter

“The Leech and His Patient” (Hawthorne 125). In this chapter title in the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the words completely sum up the relationship between the doctor, Roger Chillingworth, and the reverend, Arthur Dimmesdale. The novel is formed on a basis of friendships, relationships, and the ties that bind. The main focus of the story is that of Hester Prynne, and how one bad decision can drastically influence all those who come in contact with her. One relationship in the novel that is not a main focus is the one between Hester’s husband and her lover. Chillingworth and Dimmesdale have such a welcoming, brotherly friendship at the start of the novel, but as both the story and plot progress; the relationship between the two men becomes more and more estranged. Not only do Hester and her daughter Pearl have a large impact on Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, but the townspeople also play a large part in the development of both these characters and their relationship with one another.

In about the midpoint of the story, the friendship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale is viewed as just that, a loving, kind friendship. Even in Hawthorne’s words, Chillingworth “was the physician as well as friend of the young minister” (105). As Dimmesdale’s health declines, he welcomes Chillingworth with open arms into all aspects of his life. Even going so far as to “(take) long walks on the seashore or in the forest; mingling various talk with the plash and murmur of the waves…” (119). Basically, Chillingworth and Dimmesdale start out on common ground. They both enjoy each other’s company and treat one another with mutual respect and even, “a kind of intimacy” (121).

Nearing the end of the novel, however, the relationship between these “two cultivated minds” (121) has taken a dark turn for the worse. At one point in the novel, Dimmesdale goes out into the town and undertakes a vigil for himself, hoping that he will be able to rid himself of the pain that is slowly overtaking him. Chillingworth encounters Dimmesdale, as do Hester and Pearl. But this time, Chillingworth does not have a look of brotherhood on his face; he has one of “malevolence with which he looked upon his victim” (152). Dimmesdale does see this look, and he responds “overcome with terror. ‘I shiver at him! Dost thou know him Hester? I hate this man!” (153). It is clearly apparent, that even in a span of about thirty pages of the novel, Chillingworth and Dimmesdale have changed from brothers to archrivals.

Many reasons can be seen as causes for this drastic shift in the relationship between the two men. One reason that could be cited is how the townspeople’s view of Chillingworth changes. At first, they see him as an angel of sorts, “dropping down, as it were, out of the sky…” (117) coming to save their beloved reverend. After a while, the people compare Chillingworth to “Satan himself, or Satan’s emissary…” (124) in the way that he is always around and seems to haunt Dimmesdale. Another reason that could be noted for the decline of the friendship is the question of Dimmesdale’s own sanity. When he goes to the scaffold for his vigil, he “burst into a great peal of laughter.” (148) which is very odd considering his serious and life-threatening situation.

In conclusion, the novel shows how the warm, brother-like friendship between Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth declines into a terrible resentment for one another. In the beginning, Dimmesdale and Chillingworth are kind and friendly toward each other. And as the plot evolves, their friendship rapidly decays with the help of the townspeople, Hester and Pearl, and Chillingworth and Dimmesdale themselves.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. The United States of America: Tom Doherty

Associates, Inc., 1987. Print.

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