scarlet letter chapters 9-13

Chapter 9- The Leech
When reading the beginning of the chapter I was excited to hear more about Dimmesdale and Chillingworth because i thought both characters were not talked about that much in the story so far. I thought Chillingworth was an interesting character when he was talking with Hester earlier in the book. Dimmesdale on the other hand, I was not very fond of throughout, and I was shocked to hear that he became ill. I think this part of the story is when religion really comes into play. I think because Dimmesdale is so religious, people say "if Dimmesdale were really going to die, it wasa cause the world was not worthy to be any longer trodden by his feet." This is showing that Dimmesdale is starting to believe he is above everybody else, which I personally don't like. I also don't think it was necessary for Chillingworth to take Dimmesdale under his "doctor" wing, and I think when Dimmesdale was saying he needs no medicine, was showing that he does not want help from anyone. I also beleive that Dimmesdale being "haunted by satan" is also a representation of him being afraid of a higher power.

Chapter 10- The Leech and His Patient
This chapter was probably the most confusing chapter to take in throughout the story so far. Starting off, the narrator made sure to recognize that Roger Chillingworth was indeed a kind man. I wondered why the narrator made it a point to recognize the nice things Roger has done. When Chillingworth was talking to Dimmesdale about the weeds that he found and he responds with "Some hideous secret that was burried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime." I think shows that Chillingworth believes that confessing all of your sins will make you a better person. Also throughout the chapter, he seems confused by WHY people don't just confess their problems in the first place, and that is where Dimmesdale starts to make sense. Him talking about how some people keep their secrets in because they do not want to be looked badly upon by God is very true even in today's lifetime.  When Dimmesdale and Chillingworth come in contact with Pearl and Hester, I think this was a huge symbol of Pearl's knowlege of her surroundings, when she pushes her mother along and says that the old Black Man will catch you, it shows that she knows both about Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Towards the end of the chapter, I think Chillingworth starts to realize that Dimmesdale isn't physically ill, it is a mentally illness that is manifesting itself physically. "A bodily disease, which we look be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual part." Also, what did he find unders Dimmesdale's shirt?!

Chapter 11- The interior of a Heart
This chapter was rather frustrating to me because we left chapter 10 with this huge question of what Chillingworth found under Dimmesdale's shirt and we still don't know. It must have been pretty important because Chillingworth is ready for revenge. But without even knowing what is under the shirt, we know that Dimmesdale is guilty enough for the both of them. I personally thought this chapter was really wordy and uninteresting. At this point when Dimmesdale was delievering sermons with the topic of sin, I have an idea that he is actually the father of Pearl. He is so incredibly guilty with something that he is literally beating himself up at night and seeing visions of Hester and Pearl. That spells guilty all over it, and I personally believe the guilt he is feeling is literally eating himself up inside.

 Capter 12- The Minister's Vigil
I think Dimmesdale going to the scafold was either a cry out for help or a cry out for attention. I think it is also showing the guilt he feels because he goes to the same scafold where Hester was in the beginning of the story. Also, when he bursted out laughing (which seemed to be for no reasonc cause he's crazy) and Pearl responded, he reacted instantly. I am very strongly convinced that Dimmesdale is in fact the father of Pearl. The meteor passing through was a huge symbol not only to the reader but it seems like Dimmesdale himself! "And there stood the minister, with his hand over his heart; and Hester Prynne, with the embroidered letter glimmering on her bosom; and little pearl, herself a symbol, and the connecting link between those two." How much more obvious can it get?  The next day when he delivers his next sermon and was handed the black glove that was left at the scafold, I think was really showing how insane Dimmesdale really is. To anybody else, a black glove is just a black glove, but in his mind Satan dropped the glove there, and the A was for angel. Freaky.

Chapter 13-  Another View of Hester

I was actually really happy reading this chapter. I think it was great of Hester to finally start becoming more active in society. I admire Hester in a lot of ways, but throughout this chapter it is obvious she is starting to think of herself a lot differently. In my eyes, she is no longer passionate and headstrong, but more like she is hiding behind the letter and what is stands for, for other people. But, I think her helping out Dimmesdale is a showing of her kind heart, and that has not changed. It was also nice to read that the town's people have grown a respect for Hester, now that Pearl is seven years old. This respect was LONG overdue, and they are now starting to see the "A by its original signifaction. They said that it meant "Able"; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength." FINALLY! They are recognizing that she is strong and scolding her for the rest of her life will not change what happened. But, unfortunatley, Hester is starting to realize that the passion she used to feel is almost being taken away by the A, and it is stopping her from ever feeling passion again. And around this time, she seems like she does not want to live anymore. Which I think was a very relatable feeling for people who have given up on feeling a certain way, and I think that feeling can be connected with everyday life.