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"In Arthur Dimmesdale, thought and imagination were were so active , and sensibility so intense, that the bodily infirmity would be likely to have its groundwork there. So Roger Chillingworth - the man of skill, the kind and friendly physician, - strove to go deep into his patient's bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections, and probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure-seeker in a dark cavern."(113)

This quote discreetly describes the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. They are good friends and reverends. Yet, one of them is young and the other elderly. This quote relates to salvation in how both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale see their occupations as reverends as their means to salvation, as they are living their lives very closely to God in that way, and are also helping to spread the Kingdom of God with their teachings. At the time, being a priest must have been honorable, and must have gained a person much status. As the reading continues on, it becomes apparent through quirky reactions towards Hester's situation, that Hester's child may also be Dimmesdale's child. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth are similar to each other by occupation and ethical views, but are very much different in their destiny. Chillingworth was to be a sapient, old priest, yet, Dimmesdale was to have a child with Hester, which went against his occupation. More differences between the two also allude to the theme of society's effect on a person. For example, Dimmesdale decided not to announce that Pearl was his child, since he would be forced from his position and would be ridiculed harshly for it.

How might differences between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth lead to either character's downfall?

" A bodily disease, which we look upon as whole and entire within itself, may, after all, be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual part."(124)

This quote comes in after a part in which Pearl is hooking burrs onto Hester's "A" badge, and sees Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. Before that happened, Chillingworth and Dimmesdale were having a discussion about hiding one's sin, to Dimmesdale's dismay. Chillingworth reacts to seeing Hester by saying that she wears her sin on her breast. Dimmesdale then seems to take on a defensive stance, and Chillingworth begins to examine him relentlessly. After a bit, Dimmesdale leaves the room, which augments Chillingworth's suspicion. This quote relates to the nature of evil. This is because it gives insight into how sins tend to hide themselves within one's conscious. In Puritan society, confessing certain sins could have major repercussions, so for sins much like Dimmesdale's, it was a better idea to keep quiet.

How might Chillingworth react if he finds about Dimmesdale's secret?