Ethical Conflicts and Moral Dilemma in The Scarlet Letter

Yan Wang

doi:10.54691/yqer2p63

Authors

Yan Wang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/yqer2p63

Keywords:

Ethical Conflicts; Moral Dilemma; The Scarlet Letter.

Abstract

The Scarlet Letter primarily elaborates the triangular relationship between the female protagonist Hester Prynne, the minister Arthur Dimmesdale and the doctor Roger Chillingworth during the North American colonial period. And the minister Arthur Dimmesdale is subjected to Chillingworth’s revenge due to an illicit love affair with Hester Prynne. In the novel, Hawthorne does not give much ink to Chillingworth, and in the interpretation of The Scarlet Letter, Chillingworth is more often seen as a Satanic devil. To have a comprehensive understanding of The Scarlet Letter, this essay will reexamine Chillingworth from the perspective of ethical literary criticism. Chillingworth’s ethical identity and the conflict between the bestial and human factors in Chillingworth manifested during his revenge process will be discussed. And in Hawthorne’s portrayal, Chillingworth is a character full of contradictions: on the one hand, he is wise and has exceptional medical skills. On the other hand, he is cruel, gloomy, and slightly deformed in stature. Combining Hawthorne’s personal experiences and the writing background of The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne’s contradictory attitude towards Chillingworth reflects his contemplation of the ethical conflicts and moral dilemma of his time.

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