He walks with great energy and sees everything differently. In fact, he sees things so differently that he almost becomes afraid for himself. Three times, he meets people of his congregation, and each time he is tempted to do something terrible.
The venerable and upright deacon of his church is narrowly saved from Dimmesdale uttering blasphemy. The eldest dame of the congregation — she who worshiped the minister — is almost treated to a sacrilegious argument against the soul's immortality.
And, finally, a sweet, young virgin narrowly escapes a wicked look from her beloved minister. Finally, he barely refrains from teaching bad words to a group of children and trading curses with a sailor.
Mistress Hibbins invites Dimmesdale to the forest and tells him she admires the way he covers up his true feelings during the day. But she knows she will see him in the forest with the Black Man when midnight comes. Dimmesdale hurries home and, because he is agitated, Chillingworth offers to give him some medicine to calm him down.
Dimmesdale lies to Chillingworth, telling him that though he knows his medicine is dispensed by a loving hand, he does not need it. Then he goes to his study and furiously writes his Election Sermon. This entire chapter — note the title — focuses on the spiritual battle warring within Dimmesdale. He has been transformed from the weak and dying man who went into the forest.
Hawthorne here examines the nature of the fight and interjects his own comments at various points. Dimmesdale is tempted to actualize his dream of happiness that he had longed for, with an intentional choice more than ever before. He understands it is a grievous sin, and his decision is rekindling an array of evil impulses, thus taking him on the path to hell. As Dimmesdale passionately works on his election sermon, Chillingworth states that next year the ill pastor might disappear.
Dimmesdale confidently agrees to state that in fact, the pastor will be gone to another world. His answer sounds ironic since the two of them are talking about different things. Disclaimer: This work has been donated by a student. This is not an example of the work produced by our Essay Writing Service. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts.
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