Love And Hatred Similarities

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Love and Hatred Similarities


During the novel, Hawthorne emphasized the relationship between Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale. Throughout the story he focused on the idea that Chillingsworth sought revenge and hated Dimmesdale with a passion for his actions with Hester. One of the strongest quotes Hawthorne displayed was, “It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom.” This statement refers to the similarities both emotions display, even though they are direct opposites of each other.

Throughout the novel, Chillingsworth leeches on to Dimmesdale, causing him to break down bit by bit. The pleasure that Chillingsworth gets when seeing Dimmesdale demise becomes what he lives each day for. Chillingsworth states throughout the story that not only does he hate Dimmesdale, but he loves to hate him. This paradox is a bold emotion that carries on throughout the plot. When Chillingsworth finally devotes his life to seek revenge on the Reverend, he becomes obsessed and dependent on Dimmesdale, and begins his own demise as well.

To say that both love and hatred are the same at bottom gives us the idea that just because two things are opposite, they are not necessarily different. Hawthorne views both emotions as intense and demanding feelings. Both emotions also lead to a certain level of attachment, as well as a similar outcome. The one difference is that love is a gentle, warm feeling, while hatred is unfriendly and cold.

As used in the story, this paradox reflects the emotions felt towards Reverend Dimmesdale by Mr. Chillingsworth. Once Chillingsworth became obsessed with this emotion, he grew attached to hating Dimmesdale, eventually living his life to punish the man. When Reverend Dimmesdale confessed his sin and soon after died, Chillingsworth was left with no life source. With nothing else to live for, he died within the year like an animal deprived ...