The Scarlet Letter Theme of Revenge

Nathaniel Hawthorne presents revenge as an unnatural act that twists a person’s soul into something evil. Not only does it alter a person’s basic personality, but it never satisfies. In the religious worldview presented in The Scarlet Letter, vengeance belongs to God alone. Hester Prynne hints at this when she asks Dimmesdale to forgive her for failing to reveal Chillingworth as his enemy. When the minister shows his reluctance to let go of this betrayal, she repeats her request for forgiveness and says: "Let God punish! Thou shalt forgive!" (17.28).

1. Why does revenge twist a person’s soul into evil in The Scarlet Letter?
2. Is revenge different from other "sins" in this respect? Are some sins worse than others for Hawthorne?

Even though it is natural to seek punishment through revenge, The Scarlet Letter suggests that revenge is an otherworldly, spiritual concern, and better left to God. When individuals dare to pursue their own revenge, they end up finding punishment for their presumption, as Roger Chillingworth discovers when Dimmesdale escapes his grasp.

Although Roger Chillingworth’s appearance and demeanor are deformed by his quest for revenge, it could be possible to argue that he redeems himself with his final act – bequeathing all his possessions to his wife’s daughter, Pearl. His action releases both mother and child, allowing them to escape the shame that has been thrust upon them by the legalistic, judgmental Puritan community.