The Scarlet Letter

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   catharineb Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   Chapter Nine of The Scarlet Letter is where the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth begins. Dimmesdale has not been well, and the town sends Chillingworth to the minister to become his physician. At first Chillingworth and Dimmesdale spend time walking along the shore together. Then, they move in to a widows home together so Chillingworth can better tend Dimmesdale.

   For Dimmesdale, the relationship is one of physician and patient. Dimmesdale also admires Chillingworth's intellect. For Chillingworth, however, the relationship becomes a means for delving into Dimmesdale's "secret." By the end of the chapter, Dimmesdale's health has continued to decline, and Chillingworth's visage has become ". . . something ugly and evil. . . which grew still the more obvious." The townspeople begin to feel that Chillingworth is "Santan's emissary" sent to test Dimmesdale. This chapter leads to the next in which Chillingworth tries to pull Dimmesdale's secret from his heart.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/scarlet

   http://www.enotes.com/scarlet/chapter-9-summary-analysis

   http://www.enotes.com/scarlet/characters

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   Posted by catharineb on Monday October 6, 2008 at 1:11 PM
   
   

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