What does Chillingworth see when Dimmesdale is asleep?
At the end of Chapter 10 when Dimmesdale fell asleep, Roger Chillingworth “thrust aside the vestment that, hitherto, had always covered it from the professional eye.” What did he see? He saw the letter A which Dimmesdale had been cutting into his chest from the moment Hester was punished for their sin.
Who suffered more Hester or Dimmesdale?
Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale suffered more than Hester because, unlike Hester, he had nothing to live for and because of the guilt he had to keep hidden. Dimmesdale had no one to help him through his suffering while Hester had Pearl, which she loved and was responsible to take care of.
What does pearl call Chillingworth?
But he cannot catch little Pearl! The Puritans often referred to the Devil as the Black Man, referring figuratively to the darkness of sin and evilness of deeds. Thus, when Pearl calls Chillingworth by this appellation, she seems to be identifying his sinfulness and wickedness.
What do the townspeople think of Dimmesdale?
The majority of townspeople therefore believe that what lies behind Dimmesdale is his own unceasing labours as their priest, and that he is so committed to godly acts and study that he is not looking after himself as he should.
Does Dimmesdale show any remorse for his actions?
Mr. Dimmesdale’s ever present guilt and boundless penance cause him an ongoing mental struggle of remorse and his conscience as well as deep physical pain from deprivation and self inflicted wounds.
What is Chillingworth’s worst sin according to Dimmesdale?
Chapter 17: What is Chillingworth’s worst sin according to Dimmesdale? Chillingworth’s revenge has been blacker than Dimmesdale’s according to Dimmesdale. Chillingworth has violated the holiness of the human heart.
What sin did Arthur Dimmesdale commit?
adultery
What does Chillingworth see when he uncovers Dimmesdale’s chest?
One day, not long afterward, Chillingworth finds Dimmesdale asleep in a chair. Pulling aside the minister’s vestment, he stares at the clergyman’s chest. What he sees there causes “a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror,” and he does a spontaneous dance of ecstasy.
How does Chillingworth get revenge on 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.
Why does Dimmesdale reject Chillingworth’s offer of help?
Why does Dimmesdale reject Chillingworth’s offer of help? Dimmesdale believes his condition to be spiritual and therefore no earthly doctor can help. He felt guilty for continually turning away an offer for help and possibly didn’t want Chillingworth to become more suspicious, so he accepted his help.
What does Dimmesdale holding his hand over his heart symbolize?
Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale repeatedly puts his hand over his heart which indicates and symbolizes a secret, a metaphoric scarlet letter on his own chest. This gesture is seen in the very beginning of The Scarlet Letter, when Hester stands on the scaffold in front of all the people.
Does Hester love Dimmesdale?
Hester realizes that she still loves Dimmesdale, and she courageously tells him this, even as she reveals her silence concerning Chillingworth. Hawthorne contrasts their love — “which had a consecration of its own” — and Chillingworth’s revenge and asks the reader which sin is worse.
How does Dimmesdale feel about himself?
Dimmesdale’s shame evolves from his feelings of guilt because of his tremendous hypocrisy. He, more than any other character, personifies the evil of Puritanism’s refusal to forgive the sinner, causing a greater evil, that of the worm of hypocrisy which eats away at the soul.