Scarlet Letter -- the Aftermath

Scarlet Letter -- the Aftermath

Nothing was more remarkable than the change which took place, almost immediately after Mr. Dimmesdale's death, in the appearance and demeanor of the old man known as Roger Chillingworth. All his strength and energy -- all his vital and intellectual force -- seemed at once to desert him, insomuch that he positively withered up, shriveled away and almost vanished from mortal sight, like an uprooted weed that lies wilting in the sun. This unhappy man had made the very principle of his life to consist in the pursuit and systematic exercise revenge; and when, by its completest triumph consummation that evil principle was left with no further material to support it -- when, in short, there was no more Devil's work on earth for him to do, it only remained for the unhumanised mortal to betake himself whither his master would find him tasks enough, and pay him his wages duly. (Chapter 25)

Nathaniel Hawthorne's book the Scarlet Letter begins like a romance, and ends like a tragedy. But the final chapter almost strikes me like the end to a morality tale, like something from Aesop's fables. The wicked are punished -- Dimmesdale dies, and the people who condemned Hester, like Roger Chillingworth, are physically and spiritually drained of all of their social force and vital energies. It is like the 'A' that was affixed to Hester's chest, that branded her on her clothing and person as an adulteress, is turned against the men who made her wear it. They also become physically afflicted, afflicted in their corrupt and judgmental flesh, in the case of Chillingworth, rotting like a plant.

Hawthorne's fairy-tale like ending, however unrealistic it may sound, because surely the bad and cowardly are not always punished by death and despair, does strike one true note. People who morally condemn others are entirely dependant upon finding moral causes to uphold, and people to defame. With no one to blame, and with their principles shown to be misguided, they have nothing to live for. With no one to condemn, Chillingworth has no reason to exist. His morality has no positive force to help others, only to hurt and judge.