The young divine, whose scholar—like renown still lived in Oxford, was considered by his more fervent admirers as little less than a heavenly ordained apostle, destined, should he live and labour for the ordinary term of life, to do as great deeds, for the now feeble New England Church, as the early Fathers had achieved for the infancy of the Christian faith. About this period, however, the health of Mr. Dimmesdale had evidently begun to fail. Some declared, that if Mr.
Dimmesdale were really going to die, it was cause enough that the world was not worthy to be any longer trodden by his feet. He himself, on the other hand, with characteristic humility, avowed his belief that if Providence should see fit to remove him, it would be because of his own unworthiness to perform its humblest mission here on earth.
With all this difference of opinion as to the cause of his decline, there could be no question of the fact. His form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it; he was often observed, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain.
His first entry on the scene, few people could tell whence, dropping down as it were out of the sky or starting from the nether earth, had an aspect of mystery, which was easily heightened to the miraculous.
He was now known to be a man of skill; it was observed that he gathered herbs and the blossoms of wild—flowers, and dug up roots and plucked off twigs from the forest—trees like one acquainted with hidden virtues in what was valueless to common eyes. He was heard to speak of Sir Kenelm Digby and other famous men—whose scientific attainments were esteemed hardly less than supernatural—as having been his correspondents or associates.
Why, with such rank in the learned world, had he come hither? What, could he, whose sphere was in great cities, be seeking in the wilderness? In answer to this query, a rumour gained ground—and however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people—that Heaven had wrought an absolute miracle, by transporting an eminent Doctor of Physic from a German university bodily through the air and setting him down at the door of Mr.
This idea was countenanced by the strong interest which the physician ever manifested in the young clergyman; he attached himself to him as a parishioner, and sought to win a friendly regard and confidence from his naturally reserved sensibility. The elders, the deacons, the motherly dames, and the young and fair maidens of Mr. Dimmesdale gently repelled their entreaties. But how could the young minister say so, when, with every successive Sabbath, his cheek was paler and thinner, and his voice more tremulous than before—when it had now become a constant habit, rather than a casual gesture, to press his hand over his heart?
Was he weary of his labours? Did he wish to die? These questions were solemnly propounded to Mr. He listened in silence, and finally promised to confer with the physician. Youthful men, not having taken a deep root, give up their hold of life so easily! Since first appearing in the community, Chillingworth has been well received by the townspeople, not only because they can use his services as a physician, but also because of his special interest in their ailing clergyman, Arthur Dimmesdale.
In fact, some of the Puritans even view it as a special act of Providence that a man of Chillingworth's knowledge should have been "dropped," as it were, into their community just when their beloved young minister's health seemed to be failing. And, although Dimmesdale protests that he needs no medicine and is prepared to die if it is the will of God, he agrees to put his health in Chillingworth's hands.
The two men begin spending much time together and, finally, at Chillingworth's suggestion, they move into the same house, where, although they have separate apartments, they can move back and forth freely. Gradually, some of the townspeople, without any real evidence except for the growing appearance of evil in Chillingworth's face, begin to develop suspicions about the doctor. Rumors about his past and suggestions that he practices "the black art" with fire brought from hell gain some acceptance.
Many of the townspeople also believe that, rather than being in the care of a Christian physician, Arthur Dimmesdale is in the hands of Satan or one of his agents who has been given God's permission to struggle with the minister's soul for a time. Despite the look of gloom and terror in Dimmesdale's eyes, all of them have faith that Dimmesdale's strength is certain to bring him victory over his tormentor.
The theme of good and evil battling is carried through in Chapter 9, "The Leech," a ponderous and philosophical chapter with little action and much positioning of characters.
We see the double meaning of the word "leech," the decline of Dimmesdale under his weight of guilt, the development of his relationship with Chillingworth, and the point of view of the townspeople, which have strikingly opposing opinions about the influence of Chillingworth on the minister.
Symbolism vs. Metaphor vs. The Removal of the Scarlet letter. Editing instructions. Dialogue set up. Loss of Identity. Report Card Changes. The Beast. The Names of Cheerleaders. The Rabbit. Trinity of credit cards. Governor Bellingham. Mistress Hibbins. Hester Dimmesdale. Pearl- Chillingworth. Black Shadow. Carved Oak Table. Chillingworth's Eyes.
Color Scarlet. Dimmesdale and the Scaffold. Dimmesdale's deformity. Dimmesdale's Sinful Thoughts. Dimmesdale's Torture.
Election Day. Flowers Pearl Throws. Governor's Roses. Hester's "A". Hester's appearance. Hester's Cottage. Hester's Hair. Hester's Needle-Work. Kiss Washed Off. Dimmesdale's disease. Dimmesdale's Whip. New Plant from Graveyard. Night vs. Pearl Dancing on The Grave. Pearl's "A". Pearl's attire. Prison Door. Rose Bush.
Scaffold and Pillory. The A on Hester and Dimmesdale's toombstones. The Black Flower. The Black Glove on the Scaffolding. Click to see full answer People also ask, who is the leech? Roger Chillingworth is the leech. He is called that because he has latched on to Mr.
Dimmesdale and is systematically not only sucking out information but also the life of Mr. Dimmesdale under the guise of being a helpful doctor.
Subsequently, question is, why is Chapter 9 called the leech? The name derives from the practice of using leeches to drain blood from their patients, which used to be regarded as a curative process.
There's another reason why he's known as the leech : Chillingworth was a doctor, and a common medical practice at the time was bloodletting, often done using leeches.
In this way, Hawthorne was able to represent Chillingworth's profession and character in one symbol. Rumors about Chillingworth began to spread like wildfire. The townspeople had convinced themselves and everyone around them that Chillingworth was not what he seemed to be. Talk of Chillingworth's true identity had come about, but this escalated into so much more.
The Black Man is a euphemism for Satan in this book. Hester considers the scarlet letter A to be the Black Man's mark, and Pearl wonders aloud if the Black Man left his brand on Dimmesdale's heart. Our narrator loves to compare Chillingworth to Satan as well.
He discovers that Dimmesdale , out of the guilt and sadness he feels from what occurs with Hester, has carved a letter "A" on his chest. This act of self-mutilation is essentially his own way to "share" the pain of Hester's humiliation. Hester refuses to answer Pearl's question about the meaning of the "A". Why does Hester not confide in Pearl?
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