How To Read Like A Professor Analysis

Over the course of the last few centuries, Christianity has been a driving force in the development of western culture. From igniting Crusades in the Middle Ages to introducing new words to the English vocabulary, the Christian religion has had a considerable influence on every aspect of the western culture known today; arguably, the arts and literature specifically were the most heavily impelled by Christianity. As Thomas C. Foster states in his book How to Read Like a Professor, writers of all forms of media are at least aware of the stories of the Bible, and use them in their works, whether it be a story structure or the names of people in biblical anecdotes. Because of this, it is interesting to notice that most classic novels (and even present works) use the idea of Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, in their narratives to create new yet familiar characters. Nathaniel Hawthorne masterfully personifies the concept of Christ in his novel, The Scarlet Letter, in the form of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. In order to present a more clear image of Christ in Dimmesdale, Hawthorne used the character Roger Chillingworth to resemble a figure similar to Satan, or the “Anti-Christ” in his narrative. When Chillingworth was introduced to Dimmesdale in hopes to improve his health, his presence only proved to weaken Dimmesdale further. A pinnacle scene in which Hester and Pearl happen upon the two gentlemen in company further solidifies the concept of Chillingworth representing Satan, as Pearl exclaims, “‘Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old black man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already. Come away, mother or he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl’” (202). The “black man” can be interpreted as a figure of Satan, Pearl has identified the characteristics of Chillingworth to be as such. If the remark made by Pearl wasn’t enough, Hawthorne describes Chillingworth’s reaction to the markings found on Dimmesdale’s chest akin to that of Satan, “Had a man seen old Roger Chillingworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have had no need to ask how Satan comports himself when a precious human soul is lost to heaven, and won into his kingdom” (208). This recognition of the demonic symbolism in Chillingworth by Hawthorne himself only solidifies the idea that the Reverend shares attributes similar to those of Christ, as both characters represent a more simple concept; Chillingworth seeks revenge, while Dimmesdale seeks forgiveness for his sins. While Hawthorne utilizes other characters to create a …show more content…
A prime example to better understand this can be found in the final chapters of the novel, in which Dimmesdale reveals a mark on his chest similar to that of Hester’s mark. “‘Stand any here that question God’s judgment on a sinner! Behold...’ ‘May God forgive thee!’ said the minister. ‘Thou, too, hast deeply sinned’” (382). This scene distinctly resembles Jesus sacrificing himself to relieve all people of sin, where in the context of this narrative, Dimmesdale sacrifices himself to abate the sin of Hester Prynne. This scene also speaks to the blind following to Dimmesdale as a religious leader, as he was a man of deep sin. Another perspective may view Dimmesdale sacrificing himself to prevent Chillingworth from harming anyone else. Chillingworth’s cries of, “Thou hast escaped me!”, as Dimmesdale dies in the marketplace can be seen as Chillingworth being defeated and unable to claim vengeance upon