Mr. Prynne's Motives

[dacui38]

Mr. Prynne, or rather Robert Chillingworth is a person I find to be the most mysterious in this novel. Several irrelevant questions I find asking are "Why did he change his name to Robert Chillingworth?" "Why did Hester marry him?" "How is he still alive?" Indeed, in addition to Mr. Prynne's mysterious past, we have his motives in the present which are hard to decipher.

Why do you think Mr. Prynne does not reveal his identity to the entire community? Is it because of the dishonor that comes to the husband of a cheating woman? Or is it to save her? Perhaps it could be to threaten Hester and have vengeance, despite saying he forgave Hester.

What future role do you think Mr. Prynne have in this novel? Mr. Prynne has expressed great curiosity over the father of Pearl and desires greatly for Hester to live through her shame. When asked by Hester if he is The Devil here to take her sole, Mr. Pryne replies, "'Not thy soul,' he answered, with another smile. 'No, not thine!'" What do you think this could possibly mean?

[lemoise35]

It is my belief that Chillingworth chooses not to reveal his true identity to the Puritans to ensure hunting down Pearl's father could be done effortlessly and without suspicion. If people in the town knew who he really was, when Chillingworth cunningly tired to hunt for Hester's lover, the man may realize he is being fooled and give no hints or clues as to his true sin. Under the cover of disguise, Chillingworth will be able to successfully complete his mission.

Further, when Chillingworth tells Hester he does not want to take her soul, he implies he is after another's soul. His dialogue throughout the chapter suggests the soul he is after is Hester's lover and Pearl's father. This also supports my theory as to why he refuses to reveal his true identity. Chillingworth will be stopped by no means on his quest to seek revenge on the man Hester chose over Chillingworth himself.

[emsuria35]

I think another reason he does not reveal his true identity is to protect Hester. Although I do not believe he loves her, I think he does not want her to be hurt or killed because of his return. It is stated earlier in the book that her husband is persumed dead, and so instead of death she is only forced to wear the scarlet letter. By revealing his identity, he could condemn her to death. Although she cheated on him, I do not believe that he wants her hurt or killed for her sins. I think this also shows a bit of his personality, that he does care on some level for the wellfare of Hester. It also shows his disagreement with the Puritans that Hester should be killed for her crime. He does not believe in the puritains ways and he is very much a product of the age of reason, he would rather form a plan to reveal the baby's father than to further punish the mother.

[dacui38]

Yes, I definitely believe that Mr. Prynne hides his identity in order to protect Hester. However, in order to protect her or in order to condemn her to a life filled with shame, I don't know which one. It seems to me a worse fate for Hester to live a life filled with shame, sin, and alienated by her community. However, he naturally loved Hester at one point, and when the one you love cheats on you that is a detrimental blow. Thus, the love Chillingworth felt for Hester could have turned into hatred and the desire for vengeance. I believed that if Mr. Prynne truly loved Hester, then he would help her in her darkest hour and take her home, even though I don't think Hester would accept. This however shows his reluctance to help Hester. When Hester sees her husband, it's fear and anxiety. And when Mr. Prynne gives her medicinal herbs, she is suspicious. Could Mr. Prynne be hiding some sort of malice, or is Hester just fearful because of the sins she committed? Chillingworth's last line in chapter 4 makes it seems as if he has some sort of malevolence towards another character and I agree with you that it is probably the feather of Pearl.