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Summarized by maxims such as? Just Be Yourself? , and? Practice What You Preach, ? honesty and straightforwardness towards others are given high standing among our societal values.
These values are seen throughout The Scarlet Letter as Nathaniel Hawthorne considered the consequences of deceiving ourselves and others. To that end, when Hawthorne wrote, ? No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true, ? he stated (somewhat abstrusely) his opinion that these values are worthwhile and necessary.
Hawthorne supported this assertion by illustrating the effects upon several of the characters in The Scarlet Letter who choose either to employ or not to employ such deceit towards others. The best example of this is in the character of Dimmesdale, who clearly deceived others as to his true nature, and suffered greatly as a result. Another example of the harmful effects of such falsehood can be seen in Chillingworth. Lastly, the character of Pearl supports Hawthorne? s belief by showing just the inverse? that we can benefit by being frank and open with others.
Dimmesdale acts as the story? s primary example of a person who so deceives others that he is in constant doubt as to his own true nature. As the plot progressed, Dimmesdale maintained a pious composure, even when it forced him to say and do things that are blatantly hypocritical to the reader. His hypocrisy was typified by such actions as his initial denouncement of Hester (who was, unbeknownst to the others, his adulterous partner)? ? ? Hester Prynne, ? said [Dimmesdale], leaning over the balcony and looking down steadfastly into her eyes, ? ?
If thou feels it to be for thy souls peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer! ? ? (p. ). Additionally, his evasion of Chillingworth? s prodding questions was certainly less than forthright: ? He [Dimmesdale] had a ready faculty, indeed, of escaping from any topic that agitated his too sensitive and nervous temperament. ? ? But, now, I would ask of my well-skilled physician, whether, in good sooth, he deems me to have profited by his kindly care of this weak frame of mine? ? ? (p. ). Until Dimmesdale confessed, the townsfolk clearly did not suspect him, continuing to hold him in high regard? ? [Dimmesdale], whose scholar-like renown still lived in Oxford, was considered by his more fervent admirers as little less than a heavenly ordained apostle? (p. ).
These examples clearly show that Dimmesdale misrepresented his actions to his community and congregation. His outward image of devoutness stands starkly at odds with his inward guilt. What are the effects of his deceitful behavior? That Dimmesdale considered himself a worthless, condemned sinner is evident from his nightly vigils of self-examination, as well as his extensive self-torture: ? In Mr. Dimmesdale's secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge?
He kept vigils, likewise, night after night? He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured, but could not purify himself. ? (p. ). These examples show that, by causing inner confusion, Dimmesdale? s deceptions directly caused the self-abusive behaviors that eventually brought his downfall.
Clearly, as Hawthorne asserts in his writing, deceiving others leaves us none the wiser, and can only bring harm. Chillingworth is another character who demonstrates the harmful effects of presenting a false image to those around him. The contrast between Chillingworth? s true nature and that which he presents outwardly is even more vividly contrasting than in Dimmesdale? s case.
Outwardly, Chillingworth was a concerned friend, striving to save the priest from overworking himself to an early death. The doctor did not reveal his identity, nor his intentions until the end of the story; before that, they were known only to Hester: ? ? One thing, thou that wast my wife, I would enjoin upon thee, ? continued the scholar. ? Thou hast kept the secret of thy paramour. Keep, likewise, mine! ? ? (p. ) Chillingworth deliberately masked his agenda of hatred when in public, ?
It seemed to be his [Chillingworth? s] wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile? ? (p. ) Apparently, his deception was successful, because he was considered by all the townspeople, excepting Hester, to be competent and well-intentioned: ? It was understood that this learned man was the physician as well as friend of the young minister, whose health had severely suffered of late by his too unreserved self-sacrifice to the labours and duties of the pastoral relation. ? (p. ) This image of compassion and caring, however, stands at odds with Chillingworth? s real intentions, ? I shall seek this man?
I shall see him tremble? Sooner or later, he must needs be mine. ? (p. ) As with Reverend Dimmesdale, Chillingworth? s deceit did him no good. As the story progressed, and Chillingworth became more focussed upon Dimmesdale? s demise, the? leech?
grew deformed and hideous, ? In a word, old Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of mans faculty of transforming himself into a devil, if he will only, for a reasonable space of time, undertake a devils office. ? (p. ) The above quote also establishes causality? that Chillingworth? s deceit was the direct cause of his physical and spiritual deformation. These excerpts show that Roger Chillingworth was another character used by Hawthorne to show that deceit and dishonesty can do no good in the long run.
Hawthorne also used the character of Pearl to uphold the values of forthrightness and honesty, but in another way. She strengthens his assertion that? no man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude? ? by illustrating that its inverse is also true. Pearl did not? wear one face to herself, and another to the multitude. ?
Rather, she was frank and honest, acting with her own carefree style rather than accepting the personality ascribed to her by Puritan culture. This independence and irreverence was exemplified by her impertinence towards the Governor: ? After putting her finger in her mouth, with many ungracious refusals to answer good Mr. Wilsons question, the child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door. ? (p. ) Her self-honesty is symbolically confirmed by her undistorted reflection in a gentle stream. What did this honesty and forthrightness earn Pearl? First, she was at peace with her own nature; she did not suffer from anxiety as did Dimmesdale, nor did she become obsessed with hatred as did Chillingworth.
That Pearl was generally at peace with herself is evident throughout the story; and, as shown by the previous excerpt, she was unconcerned with others? opinions of her. Although she certainly was inquisitive, her generally ambience of lightheartedness shows that she did not suffer from any real inner struggles. To summarize, Pearl? s openness, and her resulting well-being and peace, provides major contrast to the deceit and resulting predicaments of the other major characters. This contrast provides further suggestion that Hawthorne believes we should not?
live a lie, ? but rather be open and forthright like Pearl. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote that, ? no man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true. ? In essence, Hawthorne meant that in the act of deceiving others, we do ourselves harm and only bring inner confusion. He supported this assertion by showing the ill effects of deception on two characters in The Scarlet Letter, and the positive effects of openness on another.
Dimmesdale kept his affair with Hester hidden from the public, and engaged in blatant hypocrisy. As a result, he lived the rest of his life in agony and self-torture. Chillingworth hid his hateful quest for vengeance, instead presenting an image of compassion; it earned him a life of hatred and deformity. In contrast, Pearl was honest and frank; she lived a life that was carefree and largely at peace. That Hawthorne? s assertion is proven by characters in his own novel, however, is all fine and well, but what does his assertion mean for social interactions in everyday life?
In many cases, his point is still valid. Although our modern society is in many ways less regulated and certainly less strict than that of Puritan days, there are still similarities. Like the Puritans, we value honesty, forthrightness, and integrity. And, from childhood, we know that by lying, we violate others? trust and can only alienate them. Telling the truth and?
just being ourselves, ? is much better. As Hawthorne asserted centuries ago, we are so taught today.
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