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The Custom House: Introductory to The Scarlet Letter. Chapter 1: The Prison Door. Chapter 2: The Marketplace. Chapter 3: The Recognition. Chapter 4: The Interview. Chapter 5: Hester at Her Needle. Chapter 6: Pearl. Chapter 7: The Governor’s Hall. Chapter 8: The Elf-Child and the Minister.
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By renaming himself upon his arrival in Boston, Chillingworth has hidden his past from everyone except Hester, whom he has sworn to secrecy. He incorporates himself into society in the role of a doctor, and since the townsfolk have very little access to good medical care, he is welcomed and valued. In addition to his training in European science, h...
Much to the communitys concern, Dimmesdale has been suffering from severe health problems. He appears to be wasting away, and he frequently clutches at his chest as though his heart pains him. Because Dimmesdale refuses to marry any of the young women who have devoted themselves to him, Chillingworth urges the town leadership to insist that Dimmesd...
The townspeople were initially grateful for Chillingworths presence and deemed his arrival a divine miracle designed to help Dimmesdale. As time has passed, however, rumors have spread concerning Chillingworths personal history. Even more ominously, the mans face has begun to take on a look of evil. A majority of the townspeople begin to suspect th...
The inwardly tortured minister soon becomes Chillingworths greatest puzzle. The doctor relentlessly and mercilessly seeks to find the root of his patients condition. Chillingworth shows great persistence in inquiring into the most private details of Dimmesdales life, but Dimmesdale has grown suspicious of all men and will confide in no one. Chillin...
One day Dimmesdale questions his doctor about an unusual-looking plant. Chillingworth remarks that he found it growing on an unmarked grave and suggests that the dark weeds are the sign of the buried persons unconfessed sin. The two enter into an uncomfortable conversation about confession, redemption, and the notion of burying ones secrets. As the...
Dimmesdales behavior has reinforced Chillingworths suspicions. The minister apologizes for his behavior, and the two are friends again. However, a few days later, Chillingworth sneaks up to Dimmesdale while he is asleep and pushes aside the shirt that Dimmesdale is wearing. What he sees on Dimmesdales chest causes the doctor to rejoice, but the rea...
The physician advanced directly in front of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment, that hitherto had always covered it even from the professional eye. Then, indeed, Mr. Dimmesdale shuddered, and slightly stirred. After a brief pause, the physician turned away. But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and honor!
In his Indian captivity, moreover, he had gained much knowledge of the properties of native herbs and roots; nor did he conceal from his patients that these simple medicines, Nature’s boon to the untutored savage, had quite as large a share of his own confidence as the European Pharmacopoeia, which so many learned doctors had spent centuries ...
Summary and Analysis Chapter 10 – The Leech and His Patient. Summary. In this and the next few chapters, Chillingworth investigates the identity of Pearl’s father for the sole purpose of taking revenge. Adopting the attitude of a judge seeking truth and justice, he quickly becomes fiercely obsessed by his search into Dimmesdale’s heart.
Summary. Chillingworth probes deeper and deeper into Dimmesdale's mind and heart, asking the minister to reveal all his secrets to relieve his soul. Dimmesdale refuses. Looking through the window, they both see Hester and Pearl as they walk in the nearby graveyard. Pearl places burrs on her mother's scarlet letter and, when she notices they are ...
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The Scarlet Letter Summary and Analysis of Chapters 9-12. Chapter Nine: The Leech. Summary. Roger Chillingworth, Hester's real husband, is described in more detail. After arriving at Boston and finding his wife in utter disgrace upon the pillory, he chooses to stay and live in the city. His uncommon intelligence and skill as a physician soon ...
