Who are the antagonists of The Scarlet Letter?
There are a few characters who can be considered as antagonists in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter.
1. Roger Chillingworth: He is Hester Prynne's estranged husband, and his true identity is not revealed until later in the story. Chillingworth is consumed by his desire for revenge and becomes a symbol of evil and moral corruption. He dedicates himself to tormenting and destroying Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, the man who committed adultery with Hester.
2. Society and the Puritan Community: The strict and unforgiving culture of Puritan New England acts as an antagonist throughout the novel. The townspeople harshly judge and ostracize Hester for her sin of adultery, making her wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest as a constant reminder of her wrongdoing. The collective judgment, hypocrisy, and narrow-mindedness of the community create an oppressive and antagonistic environment for Hester and the other characters.
3. Arthur Dimmesdale (to a certain extent): Although he is the novel's protagonist, Dimmesdale can also be seen as an antagonist. He struggles with his guilt and the knowledge of his sin of adultery, while also being a respected and admired pastor in the Puritan community. He perpetuates his deceit by refusing to publicly confess and share Hester's shame, which leads to his deteriorating health and inner turmoil. His internal battle and lack of honesty make him an antagonist to himself and to Hester, as his actions indirectly contribute to her suffering.