Chapter 8: The Governor, the pastor
John Wilson, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth exited the garden to find their path blocked
by the nymph Pearl. Struck by the beauty of the scarlet clad child they ask her to whom she belongs.
She answers that she is Pearl, and her mother's child. As they enter the hall, they see Mistress
Prynne and are happy that she has come so they can discuss what to do with Pearl. Testing to see
whether the child has been properly instructed so far, the dotting John Winston asks young Pearl who
made her. Pearl, though she knew the correct answer was the Heavenly Father answered that she
had been plucked by her mother from the rose bush by the prison door. The gentlemen were appalled
by the child's answer and decided that Hester should not raise her further. Hester was angry with
this and pleaded Reverend Dimmesdale who knew she was capable of guiding the child spiritually to let
her keep Pearl. She argued that God gave her Pearl, and that they could not take away the only
joy that God gave her. After discussing it further among themselves, with the Reverend giving
an impassioned plea for Hester, they decided to let her keep Pearl. Hester was thankful, and she
and Pearl left for home. Mr. Chillingworth offered to figure out the identity of the father of
the child, but his offer was refused. As she leaves, Hester realizes that she would have sold
her soul to the devil if it meant she could keep her child.
Chapter 9: Since his first appearance
in town, the people looked on Roger Chillingworth as a blessing. They were thankful that such
a learned physician was given to them. As time went on, Mr. Chillingworth and the Reverend Dimmesdale
became very close. Though he was young, the Reverend was growing sicker and sicker by the day
and the people of the town implored him to let the physician examine him. He refused but continued
to become closer and closer to the old man. After a while they even began living together in the
home of a respected matron of the town. As time passed, the people began to look at Mr. Chillingworth
differently however. Instead of seeing a man sent from God to help them, they saw in his old disfigured
form, a servant of Satan that was sent to haunt the Reverend.
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