In all forms of literature, the author will often provide situations and characters, each of which may contain strong symbolic meaning. Symbolism allows a character to express themselves like almost anything. Through the symbolism of a single character, any type of character trait, story, or lifestyle can be told. Also, a character can represent a strong and demanding feeling. One of these feelings is that of revenge, a controlling obsession possessed by a character. It is a problem that can lead to feelings or actions of sin and evil. A character's actions, feelings, thoughts, and looks can symbolize this chain of evil and sin, including the root of all evil. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, symbolism is used throughout the novel to describe Roger Chillingworth's character's acts of vengeance, representing sin and evil, including the devil, which lead to his character's decay. Towards the beginning of the novel, as Roger Chillingworth first appears as a character, his symbolic relationship with the devil and sin first appears. Roger Chillingworth first appears as a stranger to the new colony. After being held captive by Indians following his shipwreck a year before, he learns of Hester's sin. Shortly after, the symbolic relationship between Chillingworth and the devil is first shown in chapter 4, where he disguises himself as a doctor and gives himself a new identity as Roger Chillingworth. "...said old Roger Chillingworth, as he was henceforth to be called." P. 81 "The Stranger entered the room with the tranquility characteristic of the profession to which he declared himself to belong." P. 76. After changing his name to Roger Chillingworth and calling himself a great doctor,...... middle of paper ...... great empathy can be felt with Chillingworth. Many can identify with having a spouse or friend who has wronged another by lying, cheating, and/or harming or sinning. Every day you can hear about someone who has committed adultery, breaking up a family or causing grief to others. The reader will understand the need for revenge when something of this nature happens and will initially side with Chillingworth. Yet as the book progresses, his side of evil is revealed through his actions, thoughts, appearance, and feelings. Chillingworth appears as a character introduced into a society “destined for perfection,” as the colony’s sinful tempter. One, whose revenge tactics led to the deaths of two men, and whose sinister plan changed aspects of a society. Even though he was originally the only character without problems or sins, he became the one who committed the worst sins of all..