In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne fears her husband, Roger Chillingworth, for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, Hester is afraid of Chillingworth because he is an abusive and controlling husband. Throughout the novel, Chillingworth is portrayed as a cold and calculating man who is determined to extract revenge on Hester for her affair. He is obsessed with finding out the identity of Hester's lover and is willing to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, even if it means causing Hester immense suffering.
Hester is also afraid of Chillingworth because he is a skilled physician and has access to powerful drugs and remedies. Chillingworth uses his medical knowledge to manipulate and control Hester, often giving her medications that alter her mood and behavior. This leaves Hester feeling vulnerable and powerless, as she is unable to escape Chillingworth's influence.
Another reason Hester fears Chillingworth is because he is a stranger in the community. Hester has been ostracized by the Puritan society in which she lives, and Chillingworth is an outsider who is not fully accepted by the community. This makes Hester feel even more vulnerable and isolated, as she has no one to turn to for help.
Finally, Hester is afraid of Chillingworth because she knows he is capable of great evil. Throughout the novel, Chillingworth's actions become increasingly malevolent and manipulative, and Hester realizes that he is capable of causing great harm to those around him. This fear is compounded by the fact that Chillingworth is often able to disguise his true intentions, making him all the more dangerous.
In conclusion, Hester Prynne fears Roger Chillingworth because he is an abusive and controlling husband, a skilled physician, an outsider in the community, and a man capable of great evil. Hester's fear of Chillingworth is a testament to the psychological and emotional abuse she has suffered at his hands, and serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of domestic violence.
