Chapter 4 of Scarlet letter

Chapter 4 of Scarlet letter

Before chapter four, the reader already has a somewhat clear perspective about the character of Hester Prynne.   However, when it comes to Roger Chillingworth, the reader is completely in the dark and has no idea what to think of him.   But when chapter four comes, the reader is given further insight into the character of Hester, and given the character of Chillingworth.   To reveal the characters of Hester and Chillingworth, Hawthorne utilizes selection of detail, foreshadowing, and diction, to show that Hester is a passionate, strong woman that feels trapped, and Chillingworth is an evil, intelligent man that feels a lust for revenge.
The reader is immediately introduced to the character of Chillingworth when he arrives to Hester’s jail cell as a doctor.   Some how he was smart enough to trick everyone in authority and persuade them that he was indeed a physician.   Hawthorne chose to let the reader know that Chillingworth had “old studies in alchemy,” (p.63) and his, “sojourn among a people well versed in the kindly properties of simples, have made a better physician” (p.63) of him than people who are actually doctors.   So Chillingworth cunningly used this to his advantage and made sure he was able to dialogue with his wife.   Hawthorne then shows Chillingworth’s character even more by having him try to soften up Hester.   He says things like, “what had I to do with youth and beauty like thine own!” (p.65) and “I drew thee into my heart, into its innermost chamber, and sought to warm thee by the warmth thy presence made there.”   The words he uses may have a bit of truth behind them but are meant to try to lower Hester’s guard.   This shows two things, he is intelligent in trying to play into the emotions of women and he and he is evil because he is only saying to get the name of the man she slept with to get his revenge.
      It right after this where Hester shows her strength.   Chillingworth thinks he has gotten to her but she still refuses...