The Scarlet Letter #5

"Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale [...] was haunted by either Satan himself, or Satan's emissary, in the guise of Roger Chillingworth. This diabolical agent had Divine permission, for a season, to burrow into the clergyman's intimacy, and plot against his soul" (116-117).

Hester receives her punishment for committing adultery by wearing the scarlet letter and being responsible for raising one of the "token[s] of her shame" (50). Although Hester solely knows Dimmesdale's secret, "God sees him" (58). Roger Chillingworth may be the punishment for Dimmesdale's misdoing, like the scarlet letter is for Hester. Chillingworth is in complete control of Dimmesdale. If Chillingworth wanted to, he could concoct a mixture to negatively effect Dimmesdale. The two men also live in the same house, where Chillingworth is supposed to keep watch over him. In other words, Chillingworth studies Dimmesdale's every move. Chillingworth tries being Dimmesdale's friend and manages to do so, but when he crosses the line, Dimmesdale defends his place: "Let Him do with me as, in His justice and wisdom, He shall see good. But who are thou, that meddlest in this matter? -that dares thrust himself between the sufferer and his God?" (124). Unfortunately, this does not affect Chillingworth who simply sees that "he hath done a wild ere [...] in the passion of his heart" (125). According to Chillingworth, he will mentally break Dimmesdale. Chillingworth is on a mission he thinks will get accomplished.


"Guilty as they may be, retaining, nevertheless, a zeal for God's glory and man's welfare, they shrink from displaying themselves black and filthy in the view of men; because [...] no good can be achieved by them" (120).

Dimmesdale reveals why he cannot confess his sin. Although he wants to spill his iniquitous heart and speak the truth, Dimmesdale is hiding his secret to benefit the many people who look up to him. If his eminence is besmirched, then people will lose the hope he gives to them and the faith they have in him. He is a prominent role model in the community, suffering for its well- being. Chillingworth, on the other hand, thinks Dimmesdale is being selfish, when he is actually being the "true priest" (112) that he is by putting others before himself: "[The guilty] fear to take up the shame that rightfully belongs to them" (121). Dimmesdale is like John Proctor in The Crucible. Proctor wanted to sign the paper to be with Elizabeth and live, but he knew he would be condemning the martyrs who chose to be hanged rather than living a lie. It was not until Rebecca Nurse came that he tore the paper up. Dimmesdale is suffering for the good of others, just like Proctor did. Both men are a symbol of hope in their communities and it would be wrong to let their followers down in order to benefit themselves.