Keyword Guide · study-guide
Chapters 9–10 of The Scarlet Letter deepen the novel’s psychological conflict and introduce a key shift in power. These chapters focus on hidden guilt, public reputation, and the slow development of revenge.
In Chapter 9, Roger Chillingworth is officially appointed as Arthur Dimmesdale’s physician. The community views Chillingworth as a learned and helpful figure, but his close attention to Dimmesdale raises concern. As they live together, Chillingworth becomes increasingly focused on discovering the minister’s secret, signaling the start of a darker intention.
Chapter 10 centers on Chillingworth’s psychological probing of Dimmesdale. Through conversations about sin and confession, Chillingworth subtly pressures the minister. The chapter ends with Chillingworth suspecting Dimmesdale’s hidden guilt, marking a turning point where knowledge becomes a form of control.
These chapters explore hidden sin versus public virtue, the danger of suppressed guilt, and the misuse of intellectual power. Hawthorne contrasts Dimmesdale’s inner suffering with Chillingworth’s cold curiosity, showing how moral corruption can develop quietly and appear respectable.
Chapters 9–10 establish the novel’s central psychological conflict. Chillingworth’s role shifts from wronged husband to deliberate avenger, while Dimmesdale’s health reflects the cost of secrecy. These developments set up future tension and explain how private guilt can be more destructive than public shame.
The term refers to both his role as a physician and his parasitic behavior, as he feeds emotionally and mentally on Dimmesdale’s suffering.
He wants proof of Dimmesdale’s hidden sin, believing that uncovering it will give him power and satisfy his desire for revenge.
They provide strong evidence for themes like hidden guilt, moral decay, and the abuse of authority, all of which are central to the novel’s message.
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