Chapter Fourteen
Entry Seventeen
“It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge,” calmly replied Hester. “Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport.”
“Nay, then, wear it, if it suit you better,” rejoined (Chillingworth). “A woman must needs follow her own fancy, touching the adornment of her person. The letter is gayly embroidered, and shows right bravely on your bosom!”
These words are the beginning of a conversation between Hester and her husband. He just told her he heard the magistrates talking about taking off the "A" because of Hester's character "improvement." Then she answeres with the sentences named above. She is not of the opinion she deserves being free from the "A" (free from shame, being an outsider, being different from the rest), if she was ready for that then the "A" would have removed itself - She believes that it is a symbol for vengeance and as soon as she has suffered enough under it, it would simply remove on its own.
This shows she does not think to have borne enough yet and also doesn't allow herself to be free from mental pain because of course, she could easily remove it by herself. But instead, she waits until it feels right for her to be set free.
Chillingworth replies in the same tone as he already started the conversation - over-confident, arrogant and all-powerful about the world since he can read other people's minds. He pretends as if the "A" is a fashion statement which Hester uses to upgrade her outfit - Of course he knows it's not. He is making fun of her situation.
More and more, Chillingworth's real character becomes revealed by Hawthorne. Although he once (sort of )loved Hester, he now does not care at all about her. I can definitely understand his reactions because she cheated on him but note: He is the persons creating the real sins of the book (he made Hester marry him and also made her "sign" the contract about his identity).
Does Chillingworth "not care about her' or does he "hate" her? Hate is a type of care - perhaps negative. But he cares enough to be involved with her life and Dimmesdale's life.
ReplyDelete