Chapter 9 Summary

Roger Chillingworth, Hester's husband under an assumed name, had chosen Arthur Dimmesdale to guide his spiritual journey. Having expressed alarm at his minister's state of health, what was Dimmesdale to do when the elders of his church compelled him to seek help from the impressive new physician?

Dimmesdale eventually accepted his lot as Chillingworth most prestigious patient and eventually became quite close to him. In fact, his parishioners were relieved when the two began to lodge together in the same house with a pious widow. With these arrangements, Dimmesdale became more dependent than ever on the learned doctor. Many thought this very good as it augured well for the minister's future health. However, there were rumors about Chillingworth. He had been a consort of an old conjurer; he has participated in Indian pagan rituals during his captivity; he was co-opting the fire from...