The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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In "The Scarlet Letter," what happens to Chillingworth after Dimmesdale dies and why?

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Chillingworth dies shortly after Dimmesdale passes away. Though one might assume Chillingworth would be happy that the man who helped cuckold him is dead, this is not the case. Chillingworth wanted vengeance on his own terms, and the fact that Dimmesdale died in a state of grace thwarts his desire. Also, now that Dimmesdale is dead, Chillingworth has no reason to go on living. He was so consumed with getting revenge that he had no plans on what to do with himself once he achieved his goal. Now he has neither achieved that goal nor has anything else to live for, since his marriage with Hester is over and his own...

(The entire section contains 2 answers and 316 words.)

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