In The Scarlet Letter, how does Hawthorne change his style of rhetoric to denote the changes in Chillingworth, Hester, and Dimmesdale?

In
demonstrates changes in his majorthrough his use of . Diction, in this
case, refers to word choice.

is initially characterized as feeling the sting
of public shame over her sin of adultery. Although she is defiant to some degree (which is why
she embroidered the scarlet letter so ornately), she accepts her role as an outcast and allows
herself to be manipulated by Chillingworth when she promises not to reveal that he is her
husband. InHawthorne shows how Hester has developed with the following passage:

Strengthened by years of hard and solemn trial, she felt herself no
longer so inadequate to cope withas on that night, abased by sin, and half maddened by the
ignomity that was still new, when they had talked together in the prison chamber. She had
climbed her way, since then to a higher point.

Hawthorne's choice of words, especially ". . . climbed her way . . . to a higher
point" signify that Hester has grown stronger over the years and overcome the stigma of the
scarlet letter and public humiliation she has had to endure.

Roger
Chillingworth is initially characterized to the reader as a man who has been wronged by his
wife. As he befriendsand assumes the role of his physician his character begins to develop in a
suspicious manner. The reader has to wonder if his intentions are pure or if he has ulterior
motives regarding Dimmesdale. Finally, when Hester meets with him to let him know that she will
expose his secret, he is described this way:

It seemed to
be his wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false,
and flickered over his visage so derisively, that the spectator could see his blackness all the
better for it. Ever and anon, too, there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the
old mans soul were on fire, and kept on smouldering duskily within his breast, until, by some
casual puff of passion, it was blown into a momentary flame.

Look at the key words that Hawthorne uses: false, derisively, blackness, glare, red
light out of his eyes, soul on fire, smouldering duskily. These words depict a man who is filled
with hate and the desire to injure another.

Dimmesdales character is
suffering with guilt from the beginning of the story. InHawthorne develops him further with the
following exchange with Hester Prynne:

Alas, what a ruin
has befallen thee! said Hester, with the tears gushing into her eyes. Wilt thou die for very
weakness? There is no other cause!

The judgment of God is on me, answered
the conscience-stricken priest. It is too mighty for me to struggle with!

Heaven would show mercy, rejoined Hester, hadst thou but the strength to take
advantage of it.

Be thou strong for me! answered he. Advise me what to
do.

Again, look at the words: ruin, befallen, die,
weakness, judgment, conscience-stricken, struggle. Here, the reader sees Dimmesdale, who is
highly regarded by the public, asking Hester, the fallen woman, what he should do. This is a
complete reversal of the expected roles of these two characters. Hawthorne shows how far
Dimmesdale has fallen and how weak he has become by showing him powerless and lost in the
presence of Hester.