The Scarlet Letter, Ch. 9

The Scarlet Letter, Ch. 9-11

by Emily Houdersheldt

Multiple Choice

Chapter 9 is titled "The Leech." Who is it mostly about?

• Dimmesdale

• Hester

• Chillingworth

• Governor Bellingham

​Chapter 9: The Leech

​Why has Chillingworth decided not to come forward as Hester's husband?

• ​It was very shameful for a husband to be cheated on and he felt that he would be looked down upon.​

​

​Why is Chillingworth so welcomed in Boston?

• ​Because of his profession; there were very few people who had any type of training in the medical field, so he is considered very valuable.

​How has Dimmesdale changed?

• ​He has grown emaciated (very skinny)

• ​He is paler

• He is unhealthier

• ​Lost his vivaciousness

• ​His voice has a "melancholy prophecy of decay" to it

​Chapter 9: The Leech

​How is Dimmesdale viewed by his congregation?

• The people love him. They consider him to be one step below sainthood.

• "Some declared, that, if Mr. Dimmesdale were really going to die, it was cause enough, that the world was not worthy" (110).​

• ​Dimmesdale believes that, if he is dying, it is because he is unworthy of performing the mission that God sent him here to do.

• ​Anytime he feels alarmed or startled, he puts his hand over his heart and looks like he is in pain.

Multiple Choice

Who becomes Dimmesdale's medical adviser?

• Chillingworth

• Bellingham

• Wilson

• Hester

​Chapter 9: The Leech

​How does Chillingworth come to be Dimmesdale's medical adviser?

• Dimmesdale's parishioners are concerned about his health, and so push him into accepting help from Chillingworth.​

What rumor about Chillingworth gains ground?

• That God worked a miracle by transporting Chillingworth to Mr. Dimmesdale (or working it so that Chillingworth is there to help Dimmesdale).​

​Chapter 9: The Leech

​What extended simile is used to explain Dimmesdale's conversations with Chillingworth?

• ​Dimmesdale enjoys talking with Chillingworth because they are both intelligent, educated men; however, Dimmesdale views everything through a religious lens, whereas Chillingworth views everything through a more scientific lens.

• ​"It was as if a window were thrown open, admitting a freer atmosphere into the close and stifled study... But the air was too fresh and chill to be long breathed with comfort" (113).

Open Ended

What is Chillingworth's ulterior motive (secret reason) in befriending Dimmesdale?

​Chapter 9: The Leech

​What is Chillingworth's ulterior motive?

• He is trying to find out all of Dimmesdale's secrets​

​Where do the two men end up living?

• At a hint from Chillingworth, they move in together with a pious widow.​

​

​Chapter 9: The Leech

​The two views of Chillingworth

​View A

​Gift from God

​Divine intervention

​Saving Dimmesdale's life

​View B

​Comes from Satan

​A test to help Dimmesdale get to heaven

Poll

Which view of Chillingworth do you agree with more?

• View A

• View B