Chapter 17 - The Pastor and His Parishoner

Summary:

During chapter seventeen, Hester finally runs into Dimmesdale in the forest. At first they are surprised to see what each other look like. They make a bit of small talk, but then they start to talk about if they have found peace. Hester avoids the question while Dimmesdale admits that he has found nothing but despair. Dimmesdale explains to Hester how his secret sin has been affecting him and she tries to make him feel better. She then alerts Dimmesdale that Roger Chillingworth is her husband. He is described as to having a black frown and does not take the news lightly. He is upset with her and she convinces him to forgive her and let God do the punishing. Dimmesdale brings up the point about what Chillingworth will now do with their secret since he knew of Hester's motives to tell Dimmesdale who he really was. They discuss what Dimmesdale can do to get away from Chillingworth and the chapter ends with Hester giving Dimmesdale a bit of a pep talk to get through it. 

Dimmesdale Dealing With Sin:

It appears to have been seven years since the Hester and Dimmesdale have properly talked to each other. It is clear that the two have been affected by their shared sin. The narrator describes them to have mutual dread and that their physical appearances have both diminished. They both share cold hands and although Hester's physical appearance has been affected, her mentality has not turned negative.  It is clear though, that Dimmesdale's mental state has been affected by keeping this secret sin that they share. When asked if he has found peace, Dimmesdale replies with, "None!-nothing but despair!" he answered. "What else could I look for, being what I am, and leading such a life as mine?"... "Hester I am most miserable!"(Hawthorne 147). He is leading his life miserably with this secret sin he has to keep. Dimmesdale even mentions the fact that his soul is polluted and that he feels guilty for his sin. He brings up the point about how its wrong that a polluted soul like his is trying to help purify others' souls. Dimmesdale also mentions how Hester wears her sin openly and doesn't have to keep it to herself. Dimmesdale holds his sin bottled up, because if he admits it to anyone, he will face serious consequences. The sin is really eating away at him and has caused him to change.

Hester's Pep-Talk to Dimmesdale:

At this point, it is clear that Hester still feels responsible for - or even a shared burden of their sin. She does not like watching Dimmesdale struggle to stay afloat. At the end of the chapter, Hester tries to reassure him not to worry about anything. She gives him a pep-talk to make him feel a bit better. She suggests that he run away and start new in some other place. Hester advises him to "Preach! Write! Act! Do anything, save to lie down and die!" (Hawthorne 153). She acknowledges that he has been crushed by the weight of seven years of misery. She is trying to support Dimmesdale so he does not suffer from his secret sin. Hester tells him to think for the future and to either go into the woods with the Native Americans or even travel by sea back to Europe. It is interesting to note that she says the woods because that is where the devil is supposed to be. She is desperate to get him back to being well again. It only proves that by being able to deal with her sin in the open, it has not drowned yet. Ultimately Hester convinces Dimmesdale to not give up and to run away, but of course, not alone.

Gossamer Thread:

"Feeling Sorry" by Paramore relates to this chapter in a few ways. The song talks about not having time to feel sorry and that one needs to move forward. The song mentions telling lies and about getting out. This relates to the pep-talk Hester gives Dimmesdale to try and get him to not worry about their sin anymore. She wants him to get out and to move forward.