How is Chillingworth able to see what Dimmesdale is hiding on his body?
Dimmesdale always places his hand over his heart when he is agitated, or faint. Chillingworth picks up on this and thinks something about his chest will reveal Dimmesdale’s secret. When Dimmesdale is in a uncharacteristic deep sleep one afternoon, Chillingworth pulls back his robe and sees something on his chest.
How was Chillingworth hurting Dimmesdale?
Roger Chillingworth even offers to become Dimmesdale’s roommate, which allows him to investigate Dimmesdale’s dark secret. He eventually discovers the self-inflicted letter “A” that Reverend Dimmesdale has carved in his chest and proceeds to psychologically torture him.
What keeps Dimmesdale alive?
Dimmesdale’s sin was the only thing that was keeping his ill, sickened, and tired body alive. Hester is resembling his guilt, she is holding him up, she is the living proof of his sin that is keeping him alive. When she is saving him ‘from grovelling upon his face,’ she is stopping him from death.
What is the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale?
Chillingworth was Hester’s real husband while Dimmesdale was her lover. Throughout the book, it could be said that they were opposites of each other. While Roger was lusting for revenge on Hester for what she had done with another man, Dimmesdale was hiding from the sin and adultery that he had committed with her.
How does Chillingworth find out that Dimmesdale is the father?
Since Dimmsdale doesn’t know that he is her husband, he doesn’t realize what the man is up to. Chillingworth is trying to find out who the father of Pearl is. He saw the letter A which Dimmesdale had been cutting into his chest from the moment Hester was punished for their sin.
Why does Dimmesdale keep his secret for so long?
Dimmesdale suggests that some men, however, keep their sins secret because if they confess, they will never again be able to do good for God. The men look out the window and see Hester and her child passing by.
What makes Dimmesdale decide to confess?
It can be said that Dimmesdale confessed in public because there was no other recourse for him. His body had become so physically weakened by the private “letter” that he wore and the shame that had built up in him.
Why didn’t Dimmesdale reveal his sin?
Arthur Dimmesdale did not confess his sins for all the wrong reasons. He didn’t confess for mostly two reasons those being: his belief that man did not judge other men but only God can do that or that he will better serve his people with a sinful heart and not a sinful appearance.
Does Dimmesdale confess his sin?
Not only does Dimmesdale confess, but he must do so alone. Although Hester helps him to the scaffold where she was punished seven years before, she cannot help him make his peace with God.
Why does Dimmesdale become angry and leave the room?
The young minister agrees, but remains steadfast in his refusal to confess to an earthly doctor rather than talking with God. Because of Chillingworth’s constant probing, Dimmesdale becomes angry and rushes from the room.
Why do Chillingworth and Dimmesdale live together?
Dimmesdale’s poor health and Chillingworth’s interest in the young man combine to make many of the church officials try to get them to live together. Dimmesdale finally gets into the permanent habit of placing his hand over his heart in pain, and he agrees to meet with Chillingworth.