I love the title of this chapter because it’s so unique. It’s an interesting chapter. Dimmesdale’s health is going down because of the vigils and sermons he holds. His hand on his chest assures his acquaintances that he seriously needs help although he refuses. As a result, the physician Roger Chillingworth is appointed. With the passage of time, the two men grow closer. Hawthorne shows that Dimmesdale and Chillingworth have completely opposite opinions which reflect on a possible rivalry in the coming chapters between the two men. Towards the end, Hawthorne shows how an evil spirit takes over Chillingworth and the townspeople suspect that he may not be a blessing afterall.The leech and Chillingworth connect perfectly because his motives now change from curing the reverend to sucking the life out of him.
Why, with such rank in the learned world, had he come hither? What could he, whose sphere was in great cities, be seeking in the wilderness? In answer to this query, a rumor gained ground,—and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people,—that Heaven had wrought an absolute miracle, by transporting an eminent Doctor of Physic, from a German university, bodily through the air, and setting him down at the door of Mr. Dimmesdale's study!
The townspeople speculate as to why Chillingworth the Physician came here. They see him as an angle descended from Heaven to rescue the suffering clergyman. In the beginning they consider him a blessing and towards the end their opinion completely changes and believe that’s he’s an evil spirit. This also reflects on how observant the people were and their opinions were based on what they saw.
Why, with such rank in the learned world, had he come hither? What could he, whose sphere was in great cities, be seeking in the wilderness? In answer to this query, a rumor gained ground,—and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people,—that Heaven had wrought an absolute miracle, by transporting an eminent Doctor of Physic, from a German university, bodily through the air, and setting him down at the door of Mr. Dimmesdale's study!
The townspeople speculate as to why Chillingworth the Physician came here. They see him as an angle descended from Heaven to rescue the suffering clergyman. In the beginning they consider him a blessing and towards the end their opinion completely changes and believe that’s he’s an evil spirit. This also reflects on how observant the people were and their opinions were based on what they saw.
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