"Trusting no man as his friend, he could not recognize his enemy when the latter actually appeared." (Describing Dimmesdale's and Chillingworth's relationship)
Looking back, this quote helps personify both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale in their true characters. This sentence hints at the true identity of Dimmesdale because Chillingworth is only the enemy to the lecher, on whom he seeks revenge. Therefore, if Chillingworth is the enemy of Dimmesdale, then we understand that Chillingworth is truly the lover of Hester Prynne. Additionally, this sentence illustrates Roger's evil intentions by characterizing him as the enemy of a minister, and by that possibly characterizing him as an agent of the devil.
However, this quote does more than foreshadow a couple of pages ahead. From this sentence we see Hawthorne's criticisms of Puritan ministers, and perhaps human nature. Hawthorne emphasizes the minister's haughtiness by making that his weakness. Dimmesdale is too proud and special to allow anyone with intimate contact with him. This proudness becomes Dimmesdale's downfall as he fails to recognize Chillingworth and his attempts to weed out the secret Dimmesdale so greatly protects.
This quote can be taken all the way back to the fundamental question of: if there is no evil, can there be good? If there is no light, can there be dark? It is a deep question. It is also evident from this quote that Hawthorne believes there must be a contrasting force in order for one to be evident. There can be no enemy without a friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment