Chapter Nine: The Leech 

Summary:

            Roger Chillingworth entered the town as a doctor, and he was readily accepted as skilled surgeons and doctors rarely came along. He arrived with this new name because he did not wish to stand beside Hester on her pedestal of shame. Hawthorne continues to discuss Chillingworth as a man who had led a upright and religious life and knew a great deal about the ancient art of medicine. Just at the time he arrived, Reverend Dimmesdale happened to be ill. The people adored him; they said if he were to die, then it was because the world was no longer worthy of him any longer. In addition, the Puritans believed it was God’s work that Chillingworth arrived. At first, Dimmesdale refused help from the doctor, however later he reluctantly agreed. The two grew closer and closer, and Dimmesdale enjoyed the relief that camefrom hearing a different, scientific view of the world. Chillingworth was constantly observing Dimmesdale and trying to understand him, however the Reverend was so private. The two then moved in together in the house of a pious widow of good social rank. Chillingworth tried to pry every secret out of Dimmesdale, but as Dimmesdale kept private, Roger Chillingworth grew colder and darker. The people believed Dimmesdale was haunted either by Satan himself or by Satan’s messenger in the person of old Roger Chillingworth. 

Point One: The Guilt of Reverend Dimmesdale

         Throughout the chapter, the guilt inside Reverend Dimmesdale is just eating him up. Chillingworth, to Dimmesdale, was an innocent doctor coming to town at just the right time. The elders, deacons, matrons, and young women of the congregation were all determined that Mr. Dimmesdale should try out the doctor’s freely offered help, but the Reverend at first refused the help. Why would this man suffer, when clearly a help from God was sent to him? The guilt from cheating with Chillingworth's wife was so powerful he would rather choose death. 

•  “I could be well content, that my labors, and my sorrows, and my sins, and my pains, should shortly end with me, and what is earthly of them be buried in my grave, and the spiritual go with me to my eternal state, rather than that you should put your skill to the proof in my behalf" (Hawthorne 93).

              Reverend Dimmesdale was also reluctant to moving in with Chillingworth. Most would be appreciative of this kind offer by a doctor. In Dimmesdale's case, however, he would have a constant reminder of the sin he had committed. Again, the guilt inside him was pushing him away from help, but he could not deny it as the townspeople would question him. 

 

      Nathaniel Hawthorne also incorporates a few allusions to other works and people which highlight adultery, sin, and ultimately, guilt. Tapestries hung on the wall of Dimmesdale's new apartment, and one in particular told the biblical story of David and Bathsheba. In this story, King David commits adultery with Basheba, the wife of his most trusted soldier, Uriah. Hawthorne also cleverly mentions the murder of the famous Sir Thomas Overbury. This man was poisoned for is opposition to an adulterous relationship. Hawthorne includes these because he wants to reinforce Dimmesdale's wrongdoing and perhaps a foreshadowing element to his downfall. 

Point Two: The Leech

       Nathaniel Hawthorne does not title chapter nine "Leech" for no reason. In the time period if The Scarlet Letter, people would refer to a doctor colloquially as a “leech." "Physician" and "leech" describe what he's doing rather than what he is. He's learned enough to get by as the physician, but he acts as the leech with Dimmesdale, keeping so close to the man that he's almost attached. Leeches are blood-suckers; they suck the life right out of you. Chillingworth had successfully become Dimmesdale's primary doctor and roomate. According to Hawthorne, if the doctor has natural wisdom along with intuition, doesn’t have too big an ego, or any serious character flaws; if he has the innate power to become so intimate with his patient that the patient speaks what he imagines he has only thought; if the doctor receives these revelations calmly, acknowledging them only by silence, a small breath, and now and then a small word of understanding; if these qualities of a friend are joined with his status as a doctor, then, sure enough, the soul of the sufferer will reveal itself. The leech will, in disguise, expose Dimmesdale and his sin. 

"So Roger Chillingworth—the man of skill, the kind and friendly physician—strove to go deep into his patient’s bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections, and probing every thing with a cautious touch, like a treasure-seeker in a dark cavern" (Hawthorne 94).

A leech is a hanger-on who seeks advantage or gain. Roger Chillingworth is a perfect example of a leech. He has attached himself to Arthur Dimmesdale like a harmful and vicious worm. His only goal in life is to expose Dimmesdale's ignominy and get revenge.

XOXO, Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is a television show which highlights the life of the rich teens of the Upper East Side in New York. These teens surround themselves with drama, secrets, cheating, and lies. Gossip girl is a website run by an anonymous blogger. This website constantly exposes deep secrets of the show's characters causing absolute chaos. Gossip girl receives emails from the people of New York containing pictures and the hot gossip it can't see. It is an online paparazzi.

        Roger Chillingworth IS gossip girl. Although the website does not personally badger the characters as Chillingworth does with Dimmesdale, it has a paparazzi to perform that task. Like the dreaded camera-carriers run by gossip girl, Chillingworth eats into Dimmesdale's mind to find out his deepest, darkest secrets and expose them to the world. Gossip Girl, like Chillingworth, does everything in its power to expose every lie, cheat, and scandal of the public's favorite stars to show that they are only human and should not be idolized. Dimmesdale is praised by all of the people, and Chillingworth wants to remove this town idol out of his own pleasure and revenge.