Scarlet Letter Update

So my reading is going along well, in case you are wondering. Even with band eating up my time, I do find time to read a book between classes or other periods of relaxation.

So, in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mr. Dimmesdale has grown pale and ill. He grabs his chest in pain quite often and this worries the townspeople. In case you don't know from my previous posts, Hester Prynne (the main character) had an affair with Mr. Dimmesdale (the clergyman) for an unknown-to-the-reader reason, but it is known that her husband was missing for several years when they came to America. I believe that Mr. Dimmesdale is falling ill from the guilt of committing adultery. A daughter resulted from the act of adultery. So, Mr. Dimmesdale has fallen severely ill and refuses to marry any of the women who have devoted themselves to him and Mr. Chillingworth (Hester's husband in disguise) wants the ill clergyman to live with him. Chillingworth is a physician and wants to diagnose Dimmesdale; hopefully by living closer this can be achieved. The minister’s room is hung with tapestries depicting biblical scenes of adultery and its punishment, while Chillingworth’s room contains a laboratory that is sophisticated for its time.

By becoming psychically closer and closer friends with the minister, Chillingworth hopes to discover Hester's lover. I think that Chillingworth is suspecting that her lover is Dimmesdale. When Chillingworth begins to prod the minister more directly by inquiring about his spiritual condition, explaining that he thinks it relevant to his physical health, Dimmesdale becomes very agitated and leaves the room. This reinforces Chillingworth's suspicions.

What will happen next? possibly expect an update later next week. Or don't, that's fine too. Do whatever. It's your choice, not mine. Have fun.