-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #15 -~-

"Where, my kind doctor, did you gather those herbs, with such a dark, flabby leaf?"

"Even in the graveyard, here at hand! They are new to me. I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, nor other memorial of the dead man, save these ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in rememberance. They grew out of his heart, and typify, it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime." ((Chapter 10/PAGE 114-115))

The Scarlet Letter in this stage of the book is reminding me more and more of Cask of Amontillado since it appears that Chillingworth can't stop hinting at Dimmesdale's doom/guilt just as Montresor couldn't stop hinting at Fortunato's fate in the depths of a dark, cobweb-infested cellar. 


Yet here, Chillingworth takes nature; something that has been symbolizing purity, serenity, and beauty, and is using it against the man of God. It is only fitting that since the truth is sought after, there is no better way of personifying it through nature, which cannot lie or keep secrets. Again, Chillingworth hypothetically puts Arthur in the grave again where he found his herbs. The guilt of the man in the grave was so intense since he died with a secret so sinful that weeds were all that were there to remember him.


Arthur is in a tough position at this point. Chillingworth is implying that his reputation, as of now, is clean and pure. He is a man of God who has brought liveliness to the quaint Puritan town and has inspired masses of people, driving their faith and love. Hester who is equally as pure, not as a woman of faith or social status, but as a product nature and beauty; a gift. Save for one incident, she is forever remembered by her sin and is doomed to die with no lasting memory or impact on the world other than a lesson to those who go against God.
Arthur will surely suffer the same fate, if he announces his adultery within the community. He will no longer be the purest, pious man in the town, but a puppet of Satan and a man destined to be banished to Hell to suffer with his fellow-sinner.