Chillingworth says this to Dimmesdale during their discussion about men bearing their sins. Chillingworth asks the reverend why men keep their sins bottled up inside him. He believes that they should express it to the world, so that they may feel redemption. Dimmesdale responds to this by, at first, agreeing with Chillingworth, and then saying that some men cannot admit to their simply because of their nature, or they believe that they cannot be redeemed even if they confess because of the severity of their sin. He says that some would rather confess to God with their last breath because they cannot bear to confess to others.
This passage obviously alluding to Dimmesdale's own guilt. He tries to defend his own character. He is the type of man who he explains cannot confess. What he says about men bearing guilt is what he is going through.
Does Chillingworth suspect Dimmesdale to be Pearl's father at this point? Will Dimmesdale be unable to confess because he is the type of man he describes in the quote?
2) "The people looked, with an unshaken hope, to see the minister come forth out of the conflict transfigured with the glory which he would unquestionably win... the battle was a sore one, and the victory is anything but secure" (117).
This quote describes the conflict that faces Dimmesdale. This is both the conflict of his sickness and a conflict with Chillingworth. His sickness is a direct result of the guilt he feels from his sin. Chillingworth will soon realize this fact and begin to take his slow, torturous revenge on him. Dimmesdale is now being hurt by two things, which are his guilt and Chillingworth. This quote says that he will emerge victorious, but it will be a long and hard fight. One way he may be able to emerge the victor is, if he confesses to his sin, rather then letting Chillingworth find out.
Will he emerge victorious from Chillingworth, or his guilt, and why do the people of the town expect him to be the victor?
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