me of The Scarlet Letter is don't let your passions override your intellect. Chillingworth, by subordinating his intellect to his desire for revenge, ultimately destroys himself. Everything about him gradually changes into evil. Even his facial expressions become noticeably different. "A large number-and many of these were person's of such sober sense and practical observation, that their opinions would have been valuable, in other matters-affirmed that Roger Chillingworth's aspect had undergone a remarkable change while he had dwelt in town, and especially since his abode with Mr. Dimmesdale. At first, his expression had been calm, meditative, scholar-like. Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight the oftener they looked upon him." The Scarlet Letter is pervaded with symbolism. The most pervasive symbol is the scarlet A from which the book gets it's title. It first appears embroidered on Hester's dress. Here it stands for adultery (and later able) and is a condition of her punishment. When Hester is at the Governor's mansion, Pearl sees the letter magnified in an armor breastplate and it seems to be the most prominent feature of Hester's appearance. This is symbolic of how the Scarlet Letter has taken prominence in Hester's life. The symbol is seen later by Dimmesdale as a sign in the night sky during his vigil on the scaffold. We also find out that the sign seen on Dimmesdale's chest by Chillingworth was a scarlet A, apparently inscribed there by Dimmesdale himself. The last time that the symbol is used in the book is at the very end, where a reference is made to the scarlet A on Hester and Dimmesdale's tombstone. The other prominent symbol of the book is Hester's daughter, Pearl. Pearl serves as a representation of Hester's relationship with Dimmesdale. Initially Pearl symbolizes the shame of Hester's public punishment for adultery. Then ...
