Scarlet Letter #8

Quote

'Yes, I hate him!' repeated Hester, more bitterly than before. 'He betrayed me! He has done me worse wrong than I did him!'" (159).

Response

Chillingworth is out of control, his revenge is hurting people in which he does not intend to hurt. Hester has already found redemption in her scarlet letter and she has already had her punishment, but Chillingworth's refusal to give up what happened forces Hester to live in her sin. Hester never loved Chillingworth, she did not even want to marry him; it is strange that Chillingworth would go so far in his revenge for a woman who never loved him to begin with. Dimmesdale is also to blame for his own demise, it is true that he is the priest but he needs to grow a back bone and expose Chillingworth for who he truly is.

Quote

"Let us not look back [...] The past is gone! Wherefore should we linger upon it now? See! With this symbol, I undo it all, and make it as it had never been!" (182). 

Response

Finally! Hester and Dimmesdale have taken their final step to redemption, reconciling their sin with one another. This meeting was long awaited, Hester can finally be at peace and Dimmesdale can be at peace somewhat. If it was not for Chillingworth both characters would have their full redemption. This meeting took much to long, Hester and Dimmesdale's pain and suffering could have been eased much earlier if they talked, it has been seven years. Dimmesdale may be able to find the courage to expose Chillingworth after this meeting.