Scarlet Letter 5

"In the graveyard here at hand...They are new to me. I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone"(119).

As Dimmesdale's physician, Chillingworth is able to administer Dimmesdale medicine, and because of his profession, able to convince Dimmesdale that they are legit. This part in the novel is very important because it alludes to events to come. In a novel bombarded with symbols and theological references, Hawthorne once again introduces the graveyard as a symbol of death which can be constituted with evil overcoming good. In this short scene Dimmesdale questions the origin of the herbs that Chillinworth is incorporating in his medicine. In response, Chillingworth tells Dimmesdale that the herbs come from the local graveyard, and he found them growing on a gravestone with not identity. As further explained by Chillingworth, the herbs are physically ugly, just like evils representation in Chillingworth. He also tells Dimmesdale that the herbs are new to him. Coming from a graveyard, the herbs do not represent anything positive, and in the hands of a man who is so overcome with passion in taking revenge, they represent death, or evil (Chillingworth) overcoming good (Dimmesdale). Furthermore, it is also important to note that Chillingworth is said to have practices dark magic which requires the ability to make potions. Also, Chillingworth seems want revenge and achieve it so that Dimmesdale will suffer an equal amount of pain that Hester did. Throughout the novel thus far, Hester has been both physically and emotionally tortured, which is why Chillingworth is going to make Dimmesdale suffer over a period of time so that he can feel her suffering.

"The physician advanced directly in fromt of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment that, hitherto, had always covered it even from the professional eye"(126).

There is no doubt in my min that what resided on the reverend's chest was an "A" branded into his skin. We have been exposed to Dimmesdale's character and eagerness to let his sin be known, as well as his struggle to reveal it. He has asked Hester numerous times to confess the man who sinned with her because he simply will not, for a variety of reasons. Dimmesdale might not fancy confessing himself because it would destroy his position, and reputation, as well as destroy the people that he leads. And who can blame him? Being a man of such influence it would be foolish to throw away your life and influence in other people simply because you sinned, which is something that we all do and get forgiven for. A branded "A" would make a lot of sense because in this novel where people are better symbols than they are real human beings, that "A" represents not only what it does for Hester, but Dimmesdale's cowardice, as well as his sincere involvement and love for and in the community. As previously referred to, the scarlet letter represents a handful of things, both good and bad, and that goes for everyone, even Dimmesdale.