Chapter 14: Questions for Discussion

1.) What does Hester now say about her scarlet letter to Chillingworth?
The Scarlet letter will always be present inside her; it makes her who she is. She will not take it off; it will come off when it is ready. “Were it worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport” (153)

2.) Describe Chillingworth physically.
Chillingworth “wore his age well” and “seemed to retain a wirey vigor and alertness.” Chillingworth was eager and fierce, but tried to hide his identity with a smile. Hester saw a red light from his eyes, as if his soul were on fire. “Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of man’s faculty of transforming himself into a devil” (153).

3.) What do we find out Dimmesdale’s true "death" is, and how does he suffer it?
Every day Dimmesdale is dying. Chillingworth has kept him alive, this allows him to torture Dimmesdale all the time, “Your clutch is on his life, and you cause him to die daily a living death; and still he knows you not” (154).

4.) Describe exactly how Chillingworth has treated Dimmesdale and why he has treated him that way.
He has control over every aspect of his life. Chillingworth wanted him to live, so could torture him, “But for my aid, his life would have burned away in torments, within the first two years after the perpetration of his crime and thine” (155). If Dimmesdale died, Chillingworth would not have a chance to get revenge and cause him to suffer.

5.) Why has Dimmesdale increased his debt to Chillingworth?
As a result of Dimmesdale, Chillingworth has become a different person, “No life had been more peaceful and innocent than mine; few lives so rich with benefits conferred” (156). Dimmesdale has brought the worst out in him. He no longer does things for good.

6.) Is Chillingworth’s argument valid about that point?
Chillingworth has become an evil person, but he chose to be. He decided to devout his life to torturing Dimmesdale, “His fame, his position, his life, will be in my hands. Beware!" (71)

7.) What is the final resolution between Hester and Chillingworth? Is there one?
There is no resolution between Hester and Chillingworth. Chillingworth refuses to stop seeking revenge. He believes they committed a serious sin, and must live with the consequences. Their fate will decide their future, “Let the black flower blossom as it may!” (157)