Chapter 10 Summary and Analysis

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Chillingworth begins a thorough investigation of Dimmesdale’s character. In spite of the minister’s apparent holiness, Chillingworth believes that Dimmesdale has inherited a distinct “animal” nature from his father. Well aware that the reverend is well liked, Chillingworth proceeds carefully. When the minister is out of the house, the “leech” searches for clues. Dimmesdale can’t see Chillingworth for who and what he really is. He continues to treat the doctor as a friend.

Chillingworth shows his patient some flowers he picked off a dead man’s grave. This is an attempt to trick the minister into revealing his deep secrets. Dimmesdale counters by saying that revealing one’s secrets in life isn’t necessary. In the end, all will be revealed to God. Any confession of sin in one’s lifetime is primarily for the purpose of solace. That is, being honest would make these people feel better, but wouldn’t necessarily improve their chance of salvation.

Dimmesdale argues that some people must hide their deepest secrets so that they can continue to do good within the community. If they were to reveal themselves, he says, then their reputations could be ruined, and if that happens, all their good work will be negated. In this, the reverend is of course speaking of himself, though he never says so directly. He changes the subject by asking his “friend” if his treatment has been working. Before Chillingworth can answer, Hester and Pearl pass by their house.

Chillingworth goes to the window. He wonders if Pearl is evil. Dimmesdale isn’t sure. Hearing this, Pearl throws a burr at the reverend and calls Chillingworth a “Black Man,” meaning a devil. Hester and Pearl hurry away, and the men are left alone again. Chillingworth returns to the question of the minister’s treatment. He admits that the minister’s ailment perplexes him. He accuses the Reverend of hiding the true cause of his ailment. Chillingworth suspects it’s a disease of the soul. This causes Dimmesdale to question whether this leech has the skills to treat him effectively. He hurries out of the room, declaring that God alone will be his doctor.

It doesn’t take long for the men to reconcile. Chillingworth continues to treat the minister’s strange illness. One day, Dimmesdale happens to fall asleep in a chair. Chillingworth sneaks up, opens the minister’s shirt, and sees the true cause of the minister’s ailment. Hawthorne doesn’t reveal this until later, but Dimmesdale has been carving an A into his chest. His guilt is slowly killing him.

Alliteration

Hawthorne often uses alliteration in this chapter. Examples of this include “sore sick” and “amplest apologies.”

Allusions

John Bunyan (1628–1688). A Baptist preacher, author of The Pilgrim’s Progress. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Bunyan was imprisoned for hosting a religious gathering outside the parish church. While he was in jail, Bunyan wrote his most enduring work, The Pilgrim’s Progress. He’s alluded to here for his acute insight into the nature of the Christian’s soul.

Simile

Hawthorne alternately compares Roger Chillingworth to “a miner searching for gold” and “a sexton delving into a grave” in search of the minister’s secrets. Note that both of these similes characterize Chillingworth as a man digging for something.

Symbols

The Ugly Flowers. Chillingworth picks these flowers off a dead man’s grave—or so he says. It’s quite possible that the leech has made up this story to manipulate Dimmesdale into revealing himself. When the physician says the flowers are representative of “some hideous secret” in the dead man’s heart, it’s abundantly clear that he’s trying to figure out Dimmesdale’s secret.

Themes

Illness. There are two different types of illness in the novel: that of the body in its weakness and that of the soul in its depravity. Most of the Puritans in Boston seem to think of sin as a kind of disease Hester and Pearl could spread to others. In chapter 8, Hawthorne even described Pearl as the embodiment of “scarlet fever,” one of the deadliest diseases in the colonies at that time. In this chapter, physical and spiritual illnesses collide in Reverend Dimmesdale. There is, on Dimmesdale’s chest, the imprint of a letter A. It is implied that Dimmesdale has been carving it into his chest. The wound is likely destroying his health.

Secrets. Hawthorne continues to develop the theme of secrets, which is closely linked to the theme of guilt. Chillingworth uses the ugly weeds from the dead man’s grave as the physical manifestation of that man’s deepest secrets. In effect, he turns the flowers into symbols. One could argue that most of the symbols in this novel (the scarlet letter, the ugly weeds, Pearl, and Pearl’s clothes) are in some way representative of secrets. Most of them, in fact, keep Dimmesdale’s identity a secret.

Expert Q&A

In chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter, what does Pearl see in Chillingworth?

In Chapter 10, Pearl sees Chillingworth with Dimmesdale and warns Hester that "yonder old Black Man" has caught the minister and might catch Hester too. Pearl uses the term "Black Man" to refer to the Devil, showing her perception of Chillingworth's evil nature. She insightfully equates him with sin and malice, recognizing his harmful intent towards others, particularly Dimmesdale and indirectly Hester.

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What metaphors does Hawthorne use for Chillingworth's probe in chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter?

Hawthorne uses a series of metaphors to describe Chillingworth's actions in The Scarlet Letter. He compares him at first to a judge, then to a miner and finally to a sexton--all motivated by greed and the desire for gold or valuable jewelry.

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What do the burrs in Chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter suggest about living openly?

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter, the idea of living life openly is first seen in the way Hester wears her scarlet "A." She does not shy away from public, but lives a life trying her best to be Christ-like—as the society of Puritans expects—even though she is a "fallen woman." The concept of the "burrs" is presented in Chapter 10. Burrs are rough to the touch and here I would venture to assume that they reflect the harshness of Hester's existence as she wears the "A" upon her bodice without complaint or resistance. Neither does she brush off the painful "prickly balls"

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Interpret this quote from chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter: "how Satan comports himself when a precious human soul is lost to heaven and won into his kingdom".

This quote reflects Roger Chillingworth's sinister delight upon discovering Reverend Dimmesdale's secret sin, comparing his reaction to Satan's triumph when a soul is captured. In Chapter 10, Chillingworth confirms his suspicions about Dimmesdale's hidden guilt. His "wild look of wonder, joy, and horror" mirrors the Devil's satisfaction, highlighting Chillingworth's malevolent transformation as he uncovers the minister's spiritual torment, fulfilling his vow to Hester of possessing Dimmesdale's soul.

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In The Scarlet Letter, what do the dark flabby leaves in chapter 10 symbolize?

The dark flabby leaves in chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter symbolize hidden guilt and secrets. Chillingworth suggests the plants grew from a grave with no tombstone, representing unconfessed sins. He uses this symbolism to pressure Dimmesdale into confessing his own secret sin, reflecting Chillingworth's obsession with exposing Dimmesdale's guilt. The leaves metaphorically illustrate the destructive nature of concealed transgressions, implying they fester and manifest just as the weeds do.

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In chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter, what does Chillingworth's action while Dimmesdale sleeps symbolize?

Chillingworth's action of uncovering Dimmesdale's chest while he sleeps symbolizes his invasive and sinister nature, akin to that of a leech or even Satan. This act uncovers the minister's secret sin, confirming Chillingworth's suspicions of Dimmesdale being Hester's partner in sin. Chillingworth's ecstatic reaction highlights his transformation into a vengeful figure, driven solely by the desire for retribution, further symbolizing his moral corruption and obsession with revenge.

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Where did Chillingworth say the medicinal weed grew from in Chapter 10 of The Scarlet Letter?

Chillingworth tells Dimmesdale that the medicinal weed he found grew from an unmarked grave, suggesting it emerged from the dead man's heart because he harbored a dark secret he never confessed. This conversation indicates Chillingworth suspects Dimmesdale of hiding a secret. While Chillingworth insists confession is beneficial, Dimmesdale argues that keeping a secret might allow a person to continue contributing to society, critiquing a judgmental society that forces people to conceal their sins.

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How do the black flowers in chapter 10 symbolize hidden sins?

The black flowers in Chapter 10 symbolize hidden sins by representing the unconfessed guilt buried within individuals. Chillingworth suggests these flowers might have grown from a deceased person's heart due to unconfessed sins, aiming to provoke Dimmesdale, whom he suspects of adultery with Hester. The metaphor of "letting the black flower blossom" refers to Chillingworth's own hidden sin and vengeance against Dimmesdale, showcasing the destructive nature of unacknowledged sin in Puritan society.

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