 |
Chapter 11
Chillingworth became aware of ways
to invoke Dimmesdale’s pain and how to
do so without allowing the minister to
realize he was the partial cause.
Dimmesdale was in a constant struggle
with himself. He wanted to admit the truth
to the church members. When his followers
inferred he was sinful, they revered him more.
Continually Dimmesdale punished himself
by fasting and keeping vigil. He fasted
beyond the point of safety and into the realm
of starvation.
When keeping vigil, he stayed awake many
nights consecutively, sometimes in total dark-
ness, other times in front of a mirror in a
strong light.
In the mirror he saw images both good and
evil: demons, angels, family, but most im-
portantly -- he saw Hester Prynne point to
her breast then to his.
|
 |
When Dimmesdale stayed awake
late at night and looked in the
mirror, he saw convoluted images.
|
 |
