Creepy Chillingworth and Hester's Blame

Chillingworth's creepy appearance in Chapter 14 set up the events that followed. First off, Chillingworth is described as having transformed into a devil. Hawthorne writes, "this unhappy person had effected such a transformation, by developing himself, for seven years, to the constant analysis of a heart full of torture, and deriving his enjoyment thence, and adding fuel to those fiery tortures which he analyzed and gloated over" (Hawthorne 153). So basically Chillingworth has a devil-like self that has emerged over the past seven years. And of course, Hester sees the evilness in his heart, and believes her sin led him to his change of character. Chillingworth reminds me of a manipulative old man (like the one from ahs).

To add to Hester's personal blame of driving Chillingworth to sin, when she learns that she no longer has to wear the 'A' on her chest, she says that she doesn't want to take it off. The letter did inflict torture upon Hester, right? Maybe Hester has come to terms with the symbol, as she has become stronger the longer she has worn it. Also, Pearl keeps pretending that she has an 'A' on her chest, but Hester refuses to tell her the meaning behind it. She connects the letter to Dimmesdale, as he continues to put his hand over his heart. Will Pearl figure out Hester and Dimmesdale's relationship herself?

Also, what was up with that conversation between Hester and Dimmesdale? They both meet in the forest which becomes their escape from the public. Dimmesdale proceeds to tell Hester that he has found no peace and feels guilty about their relationship. Hester then tells Dimmesdale the truth: that Chillingworth is her husband and that he knows about their relationship and is planning to expose it. Dimmesdale is shocked, and says he can't forgive Hester, but he ultimately does.  Dimmesdale continues to feel sorry for himself, telling Hester that he feels so much guilt, is sinful, has lost his soul, and is powerless. I imagine Dimmesdale as being a sullen, weak, and nervous man, who can't hold his emotions together.

When he piles his feelings on Hester, she comforts him, taking the blame. She says, "thou shalt leave it all behind thee!...Begin all anew!...The future is full of trial and success...Exchange this false life for a true one" (178-179). Hester feels like she is the reason for Dimmesdale's guilt, but I disagree. Dimmesdale played just as big of a part in their relationship as Hester did, and shouldn't be acting so emotional.

By the end of Chapter 17 Hester suggests that they travel back to Europe...together. Dimmesdale says he can't leave Massachusetts, but I wonder if he just doesn't want to raise suspicion about himself. But wouldn't their escape just create even more scandal, and allow Hester to be completely removed from society's ranks?

These chapters left me with many questions and I wonder what will happen next.  Will Hester and Dimmesdale really leave for Europe? Will Chillingworth expose Dimmesdale to the public? How and when will Pearl finally understand that Dimmesdale is her father?

I guess we will just have to wait and see.