The Scarlet Letter, Ch. 10

The Scarlet Letter, Ch. 10

by Emily Houdersheldt

​Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient

​What was Chillingworth like, before his drive for revenge changed him?

• ​Nice and kind

• ​Calm

• ​Scholarly

• ​Old and not very attractive, but gentle

• ​#chillguy

​Who is Chillingworth investigating?

• ​Dimmesdale - why?

• ​He believes Dimmesdale is hiding secrets from him (even about his own health)

​Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient

​What extended metaphor is used to explain Chillingworth's investigation into Dimmesdale's mind/heart?

• ​That of a miner digging for gold

• ​"He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart, like a miner searching for gold... The soil where this dark miner was working had perchance shown indications that encouraged him. Then...turning over many precious materials..." (118-119)

​Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient

​Why doesn't Dimmesdale suspect Chillingworth of being "inimical to his peace"?

• ​There is a "certain morbidness" that has made him suspicious of everyone

• ​Because he feels like he can't trust anyone, he has a hard time actually recognizing someone who may be dangerous to him

​Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient

​Chillingworth says he harvested some plants growing on a grave; he says maybe the plants grew out of the dead man's heart and are symbolic of a terrible secret he took to the grave with him. What is he trying to get Dimmesdale to do?

• ​Confess any secret he may be holding onto

How does Dimmesdale respond?​

• ​He says that only God can make someone tell their secrets and forgive them for those secrets.

• ​He goes on to say that many people have given their secrets to him and he has seen the relief on their faces; however, some people must hold onto their secrets.

Multiple Select

What is Pearl doing when they see her out the window?

• She is skipping from grave to grave.

• She is dancing upon someone's grave.

• She's screaming at her mom.

• She's running away because she hates Boston.

Multiple Choice

While staring out the window, what do Chillingworth and Dimmesdale discuss?

• Hester's scarlet letter

• Boston

• The effectiveness of the scaffold as punishment

• Whether America will ever be a civilized land

​Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient

​What does Pearl call Chillingworth?

• ​The Black Man (Satan)

• ​She says, "Come away, Mother, or the Black Man will catch you like he's caught the minister. But he can't catch Pearl!"

​What does Chillingworth do when he comes upon Dimmesdale napping one day?

• ​He pulls Dimmesdale's robe aside and stares at his chest.

Open Ended

How is the look on Chillingworth's face (when he looks at Dimmesdale's chest) described?