Dimmesdale and his
internal suffering
internal suffering
How does Dimmesdale’s silence about his sin begin to affect his health and spirit? Use Quotes from around page 113 to support your argument.
His form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it" (page 113);
How is Dimmesdale's hidden sin being hinted at in page 115?
Dimmesdale’s hidden sin shows his spiritual sickness
“I could be well content, that my labors, and my sorrows, and my sins, and my pains, should shortly end with me, and what is earthly of them be buried in my grave, and the spiritual go with me to my eternal state, rather than that you should put your skill to the proof in my behalf.”
How does Chillingworth’s behavior act as a form of punishment for Dimmesdale’s guilt?(~122)
It exploits his conscience and is a constant reminder of his sin
Why does Chillingworth decide to live with Dimmesdale under the pretense of being his physician? Use Quotes from around page 115 to support your argument.
"A man burdened with a secret should especially avoid the intimacy of his physician" (pg. 116)
What gesture does Dimmesdale often make that symbolizes his hidden guilt and emotional pain? Use Quotes from around page 113 to support your argument.
"he was often observed, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain" (pg 113).
What does Dimmesdale's hidden sin in page 122 demonstrate?
This demonstrates Dimmesdale's spiritual vulnerability and his paranoia
"In spite of his premeditated carefulness, the floor would now and then creak; his garments would rustle; the shadow of his presence, in a forbidden proximity, would be thrown across his victim. In other words, Mr. Dimmesdale, whose sensibility of nerve often produced the effect of spiritual intuition, would become vaguely aware that something inimical to his peace had thrust itself into relation with"
How is Chillingworth's change in appearance an example of punishment?(~Page 120)
Chillingworth's pursuit in finding Dimmesdale eventually caused his appearance to corrupt physically
"Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight, the oftener they looked upon him"
What motivates Chillingworth’s fascination with Dimmesdale’s illness? Use Quotes from around page 120 to support your argument.
"A terrible fascination, a kind of fierce, though still calm, necessity, seized the old man within its gripe, and never set him free again" (pg. 120).
Why does Dimmesdale grow pale and weak even though everyone in the town believes he is a holy man? Use quotes from around page 113 to support your argument.
"His form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it;" (pg. 113)
What does page 117 suggest about the dangers of concealing sin?
It suggests that it can isolate and make one more vulnerable.
"A man burdened with a secret should especially avoid the intimacy of his physician. If the latter possess native sagacity, and a nameless something more,—let us call it intuition"
How does Chillingworth’s behavior serve as a punishment for Dimmesdale’s guilt?(~Page 121)
Chillingworth’s constant scrutinizing becomes a psychological punishment, reminding him of his guilt and turning his concealed guilt into torment.
"He now dug into the poor clergyman’s heart, like a miner searching for gold; or, rather, like a sexton delving into a grave"
How does Chillingworth justify probing into Dimmesdale’s soul? Use Quotes from around page 125 to support your argument.
"A bodily disease, which we look upon as whole and entire within itself, may, after all, be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual part" (pg. 126).
How does Dimmesdale describe the experience of confession, revealing his longing for release? Use Quotes from around page 122 to support your argument.
“Many, many a poor soul hath given its confidence to me, not only on the death-bed, but while strong in life, and fair in reputation. And ever, after such an outpouring, O, what a relief have I witnessed in those sinful brethren!" (pg. 122).
How does Chillingworth’s “thief-like” description emphasize the theme of hidden sin?(~Page 122)
It emphasizes how hidden sins leads to moral corruption and violation of privacy, affects both the sinned and people trying to uncover it
"He groped along as stealthily, with as cautious a tread, and as wary an outlook, as a thief entering a chamber where a man lies only half asleep,—or, it may be, broad awake,—with purpose to steal the very treasure which this man guards as the apple of his eye"
What does Dimmesdale's guilt reveal about his hidden sin?(~113)
It reveal how guilt corrupts the soul, Dimmesdale’s hidden sin has decayed and hollowed him out
"His form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it; he was often observed, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain"
How does Hawthorne describe Chillingworth’s transformation as he becomes more evil? Use Quotes from around page 120 to support your argument.
"There was something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not previously noticed" (pg. 119).
How does Dimmesdale’s guilt contrast with Hester’s open shame, intensifying his internal suffering? Use Quotes from around page 125 to support your argument.
"It must needs be better for the sufferer to be free to show his pain, as this poor woman Hester is, than to cover it up in his heart" (pg. 125).
What does Chillingworth's search of Dimmesdale represent about the nature of hidden sin and their impact?(~Page 122)
It shows that hidden sin leads to an endless search and torture. Hidden sin's effect don't only affect the person who sinned.
"all of which invaluable gold was perhaps no better than rubbish to the seeker,—he would turn back, discouraged, and begin his quest towards another point. He groped along as stealthily, with as cautious a tread, and as wary an outlook, as a thief entering a chamber where a man lies only half asleep"
What punishment is being shown through the relationship of Dimmesdale and Chillingworth?(~Page 122)
The punishment is being trapped in a toxic relationship that is created from guilt and sins.
"Yet Mr. Dimmesdale would perhaps have seen this individual’s character more perfectly, if a certain morbidness, to which sick hearts are liable, had not rendered him suspicious of all mankind. Trusting no man as his friend, he could not recognize his enemy when the latter actually appeared. He therefore still kept up a familiar intercourse with him, daily"
What symbolic discovery confirms Chillingworth’s suspicion of Dimmesdale’s sin? Use Quotes from around page 128 to support your argument.
"But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a ghastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his figure, and making itself even riotously manifest by the extravagant gestures with which he threw up his arms towards the ceiling, and stamped his foot upon the floor (pg. 128)!