Chapter 14 Summary

Hester contacts Chillingworth, while he is picking herbs. He immediately relates how a magistrate recently told him that some members of the council wished the scarlet letter to be removed from her person. She replies it is for providence, not magistrates, to do something about the letter. However, she has something she wants to talk to him about.

For many years, she has kept Chillingworth's secret, but now she tells him that Dimmesdale must be let alone. Chillingworth admits that he shadowed Dimmesdale without Dimmesdale realizing who it was. Chillingworth does not try to prevent Hester's promised actions. He says, "Let the black flower blossom as it may!"

Chapter 14 Analysis

Hester, at great risk, protests Chillingworth's taking advantage of her oath of silence regarding his true name. He has used his anonymity to draw close to Dimmesdale, who does not know that Chillingworth...