Chapter 17: The Pastor and His Parishioner

-Dimmesdale regrets what he has done, claiming that it far outweighs the good he does.
--“‘As concerns the good which I may appear to do, I have no faith in it. It must needs be a delusion. What can a ruined soul, like mine, effect towards the redemption of other souls? - or a polluted soul towards their purification?’”(172)
-Hester suggests that Chillingworth's torment is causing Dimmesdale to feel guilty as he is.
--“‘Thou hast long had such an enemy, and dwellest with him, under the same roof!’”(173)
-We learn that Hester's original husband was actually Chillingworth.
--“‘That old man! - the physician! - he whom they call Roger Chillingworth! - he was my husband!’”(175)
-Now it makes sense why Chillingworth is bothering to torment Dimmesdale, especially concerning an earlier point he makes.
--“‘I shall seek this man, as I have sought truth in books; as I have sought gold in alchemy. There is a sympathy that will make me conscious of him. I shall see him tremble. I shall feel myself shudder, suddenly and unawares. Sooner or later, he must needs be mine!’”(70)
-Dimmesdale is aware that Chillingworth knows what Hester is up to, and is aware that he is likely to announce Dimmesdale's sin as the ultimate revenge.
--“‘Hester,’ cried he, ‘here is a new horror! Roger Chillingworth knows your purpose to reveal his true character. Will he continue, then, to keep our secret? What will now be the course of his revenge?’”(177)
-Hester suggests that Dimmesdale leaves Salem before Chillingworth can do any more to him.
--“‘Thou must dwell no longer with this man,’ said Hester, slowly and firmly. ‘Thy heart must be no longer under his evil eye!’”(177)
--“‘Give up this name of Arthur Dimmesdale, and make thyself another, and a high one, such as thou canst wear without fear or shame’”(179).
-Dimmesdale is unsure if simply going elsewhere is the best way to go, and if it will keep Chillingworth away.
--“‘O Hester!’ cried Arthur Dimmesdale, in whose eyes a fitful light, kindled by her enthusiasm, flashed up and died away, "thou tellest of running a race to a man whose knees are tottering beneath him!’”(179)