Chapter 11 Summary and Analysis
Now that Chillingworth knows Dimmesdale’s secret, he intends to exact his revenge. He becomes a cruel, calculating man and takes every opportunity he can to hurt the minister. His torture is subtle, however, and the reverend isn’t able to pinpoint exactly what has changed about Chillingworth. His former “friend” becomes a kind of enemy, and Dimmesdale comes to hate him. Still, the minister is tortured by his guilt, and he fears that his distrust of Chillingworth stems from this guilt rather than from Chillingworth’s own actions. He doesn’t confront his enemy and instead suffers in silence.
Meanwhile, Dimmesdale becomes even more popular as a minister. His sensitivity makes it easy to relate to his flock, who admire him over the older, more learned scholars in Boston. This emotional and sensitive nature stems from his guilt, which keeps him from climbing to higher ranks. He instead remains on the same level as his parishioners. Most of the girls in his church fall in love with him. Elderly citizens expect him to die first and wish to be buried near him.
This popularity only makes Dimmesdale worse. It weighs heavily on his conscience and leads him to think of himself as a kind of pollution. He fantasizes about standing at the pulpit and confessing his sins. Several times, he denigrates himself in front of his flock, referring to himself as “a thing of unimaginable iniquity,” but this only makes them love him more. In response, Dimmesdale starts to whip himself with a scourge. He stands in front of a mirror, telling himself he’s evil. He sees angels and demons around him and imagines Pearl pointing first at her mother’s scarlet letter A and then at his chest.
One night, Dimmesdale has an idea. He rushes out the door.
Allusions
Metaphor
Symbols
Expert Q&A
In The Scarlet Letter, chapter 11, why doesn't Dimmesdale confess his sin to his congregation?
Dimmesdale refrains from confessing his sin to his congregation due to his fear of losing their admiration and respect. Despite his internal desire for honesty, he is too revered by his followers, who would be shocked by his admission. His attempts to confess in abstract terms only increase their adulation, highlighting his cowardice and lack of love for Hester. Dimmesdale prioritizes his reputation over truth and personal integrity.
In Chapter 11 of The Scarlet Letter, what's ironic about Dimmesdale's success as a minister?
The irony of Dimmesdale's success as a minister lies in his hidden sin of adultery with Hester Prynne, which contrasts sharply with his public image of holiness. While Hester faces public shame and ostracism for their shared sin, Dimmesdale is revered as a pious and inspiring figure. His guilt and inner turmoil enhance his empathy and eloquence, making him even more effective in his ministry, despite the moral hypocrisy of his situation.
What is Hawthorne's suggestion about sin in chapter 11 of The Scarlet Letter?
In Chapter 11, Hawthorne suggests that secret sin leads to isolation from God and others. Dimmesdale's hidden guilt makes him more human and empathetic, yet his attempts to confess only increase his sense of hypocrisy, isolating him further. Hawthorne contrasts Dimmesdale's destructive secrecy with Hester's openness, which leads to partial community forgiveness. The chapter emphasizes the theme that true redemption requires honesty about one's sins.
What is your interpretation of the following quote from chapter 11?
It kept him down, on a level with the lowest; him, the man of ethereal attributes, whose voice the angels might else have listened to and answered! But this very burden it was that gave him sympathies so intimate with the sinful brotherhood of mankind, so that his heart vibrated in unison with theirs, and received their pain into itself, and sent its own throb of pain through a thousand other hearts, in gushes of sad, persuasive eloquence.
This quote reflects on Reverend Dimmesdale's moral struggle, highlighting that his hidden sin keeps him grounded and empathetic, enhancing his effectiveness as a minister. Despite possessing "ethereal attributes," it is his shared human frailty that connects him deeply with his congregation. This duality, where sin fosters understanding and eloquence, mirrors themes in Hawthorne's other works like "The Minister's Black Veil" and "Young Goodman Brown," exploring the complexities of moral ambiguity.
The thematic contribution of chapter 11 in The Scarlet Letter
Chapter 11 of The Scarlet Letter deepens the themes of guilt and hypocrisy. Dimmesdale's internal torment and his inability to confess his sin highlight the destructive nature of concealed guilt and the moral duplicity within the Puritan society. This chapter underscores the emotional and psychological consequences of secret sin and the disparity between public persona and private suffering.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
