Theme Of Justice In The Scarlet Letter

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Isolation, sin, and justice, are three notable themes that The Scarlet Letter focuses on. These themes are seen in all the main characters in the book. Yet, they displayed best through Roger Chillingworth’s character. Chillingworth demonstrates these themes of isolation, sin, and justice, through both his words and actions in The Scarlet Letter. Roger Chillingworth is a man who is isolated both emotionally and physically. Chillingworth is initially described as a lonely scholar who is more interested in science than religious Puritan practices which in a way ostracized him from the townspeople. When Roger returns to town, he begins to live a lie disguising himself and claiming he is the minister's physician. When Chillingworth says,”There are none in this land that know me.”(70), he knowingly ostracizes himself by claiming to be someone he is not. He is also completely alone in his pursuit of revenge upon Dimmesdale. He eventually becomes so obsessed with making Dimmesdale's life a living hell, that he cuts himself off from humanity. Although all the main characters in the book are sinners, Chillingworth is the worst sinner of …show more content…
Chillingworth's view of justice is that the sinner deserves retribution for their sins and he believes that he is the one who needs to deliver that retribution. “He bears no letter of infamy wrought into his garment as thou dost but I shall read it on his heart.”(70). This describes Chillingworth's dedication to find the man, no matter what and deliver the form of Justice he sees fit. He is self-righteous in believing he is the only one capable of delivering just punishment. At first He truly believes he is delivering Justice for him and Hester, but eventually he is purely just enjoying the torture and guilt, he is inflicting upon the minister, which is not justice at
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