In the prison, Roger Chillingworth said he had wronged Hester by —.
A. dismissing her letters pleading for his immediate return to Boston
B. squandering his inheritance in selfish pursuits, thus leaving her destitute
C. marrying her under the delusion she could overlook his age and deformity
D. entrusting her to the guidance of a woman of questionable reputation
The correct answer is D. entrusting her to the guidance of a woman of questionable reputation.
In “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Roger Chillingworth feels he wronged Hester Prynne by leaving her in the care of others, specifically referring to their situation and the influence of others around her, like Mistress Hibbins. Chillingworth’s feelings of guilt stem from the belief that he has not provided the proper support or guidance to Hester, which he acknowledges as a mistake. This reflects his complex feelings toward her and the societal norms of the time.
If you have more questions or would like further clarification, feel free to ask!