# Satan — The Scarlet Letter character guide

> Satan in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Black Man, Black Man, Man, old Black Man, The Devil

**First appearance:** 0004-ii-the-marketplace

## Who they are

The embodiment of evil, often invoked by townspeople and Mistress Hibbins.

## Relationships

### [Hester Prynne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/hester_prynne)

_psychological_

Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally.

### [Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/pearl)

_psychological_

Pearl is often seen as an impish, almost demonic child, embodying the sin of her parents.

### [Roger Chillingworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/roger_chillingworth)

_psychological_

Chillingworth is described as a devilish figure, consumed by revenge and manipulation.

### [Arthur Dimmesdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/arthur_dimmesdale)

_psychological_

Dimmesdale is tormented by Satan as a manifestation of his hidden guilt and hypocrisy.

### [John Wilson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/john_wilson)

_psychological_

Wilson, as a Puritan minister, frequently invokes Satan as a moral adversary.

### [Governor Bellingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/governor_bellingham)

_psychological_

Bellingham, as a Puritan leader, sees Satan as a constant threat to the colony's piety.

### [Sir Thomas Overbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/sir_thomas_overbury)

_psychological_

Overbury is a historical figure referenced in the context of demonic influence and scandal.

### [Hester Prynne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/hester_prynne)

_psychological_

Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally.

### [Hester Prynne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/hester_prynne)

_psychological_

Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally.

### [Roger Chillingworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/roger_chillingworth)

_psychological_

Chillingworth is described as a devilish figure, consumed by revenge and manipulation.

### [Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/pearl)

_psychological_

Pearl is often seen as an impish, almost demonic child, embodying the sin of her parents.

### [Arthur Dimmesdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/arthur_dimmesdale)

_psychological_

Dimmesdale is tormented by Satan as a manifestation of his hidden guilt and hypocrisy.

## In the story

### [XVI: A Forest Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xvi-a-forest-walk)

Referenced as the Black Man in local superstition; said to haunt the forest and mark people's bosoms.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/satan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters