Those who have read the illustrious Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne may attest to the tremendous speculations that face Rodger Chillingworth (Rodger Prynne) in the wake of, the ailing Puritan minister, Master Dimmesdale’s sudden demise. Several acts during the novel piloted Dimmesdale’s abrupt and unexpected end. For one to believe that this grave illness ensued entirely due to the medical workings of Rodger Chillingworth may project the perception of complete and utter absurdity.
In truth Dimmesdale was sick long before Chillingworth took him under his medical care, if not for his aid Dimmesdale’s “life would have burned away … within the first two years after the perpetration of his crime”- (Hawthorne #154). Having said that, Chillingworth did play his part in the young ministers’ death. In attempt to acquire his so sought after revenge, it can be proven that Chillingworth attributed to Dimmesdales’ mental torment with his constant comments on hidden sin and the need “to confess during one’s lifetime”-(Hawthorne#117). Although this kind of torment is inhumane one can understand the hunger for revenge due to heart break. With that said there is no tangible proof, to present, that can give evidence of any physical harm inflicted on Dimmesdale by Chillingworth.
Dimmesdale finds him-self caught in a constant state of internal conflict, to do right by his heart, lover, and their love child or to do right by his religious role and beliefs throughout the novel. This predicament leads to excessive guilt and not long after physical and mental torture. Hawthorne reveals Dimmesdale “loathed his miserable self”-(Hawthorne#130), through acts of self-prosecution in which he would “rigorously, and until his knees trembled beneath him”- (Hawthorne#130), perform “vigils”-(Hawthorne#130) with a “bloody scourge.”- (Hawthorne#130). Based off common knowledge, possessed by most, of modern medicines, one can infer an educated conclusion stating these “vigils”...