The world of Puritan New England, like the globe of today, was filled with several evil influences. Quite a few folks had been in a position to withstand the temptations of this darker side of the spiritual world, but nonetheless some fell victim to the supposed Satan’s will. Such offences against God, in thought, word, deed, wish or neglect, are what we define as sin (Schuler 14).
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the reader is in a position to observe how one particular sin devastates 3 lives. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth are all guilty of succumbing to temptation, anger, and need, causing all to match the definition of a sinner. However, Chillingworth’s iniquities raise him up above Hester and Dimmesdale on the level of diabolic acts.
From the really moment Chillingworth is introduced, he is deceitful towards the Puritan society. Chillingworth seems in the novel, seeming to know nothing of the scene at the scaffold. He asks of a townsperson: “…who is this lady? – and wherefore is she here to set up to public shame?” (Hawhtorne 67). Yet, we find in the next chapter that he indeed knows who Hester is, because Chillingworth is the lawful husband of her. He decieves the people of Boston to keep away from the humiliation his wife brought upon him. In this respect, Chillingworth sins against the eight commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour” (Schuler 26).
Now, one particular could state that Hester also sins against the eighth commandment. She in no way reveals the name of her daughter’s father. And it is stated that 1 will have to constantly inform the truth. Yet, it also states that 1 should maintain a secret anytime asked to do so, and not say something to damage another’s reputation (Schuler 27). So Hester, in truth, did not sin. She never denies that Dimmesdale was the father of Pearl. She also could not admit the truth because she would break a promise to Dimmesdale and damage his reputation. Dimmesdale also may perhaps be accused of this crime, but likewise, he under no circumstances outwardly states that he was not the father of this kid, he merely chooses to remain silent on the matter.
Whilst Chillingworth is guilty of breaking the eighth commandment, he also breaks the fifth commandment “You shall not kill” (Schuler 24). It reality that Chillingworth did not directly kill anybody in the novel. Nonetheless, a severe act of anger or hatred is considered a sin below this commandment…