Dimmesdale vs Chillingworth

Dimmesdale vs. Chillingworth Near the end of the novel, Arthur Dimmesdale tells the following to his fellow adulteress Hester concerning Roger Chillingworth: "We are not, Hester, the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest! That old man's revenge has been blacker than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart." He is referring to Roger Chillingworth's malign behavior towards Hester and, especially, …

…in reality adding to his distress. The fact that Chillingworth isn't willing to forgive the minister only makes him look worse. Being the parasite, he cannot live on without the minister. After the minister's passing, Chillingworth shrivels up emotionally; he dies without confronting his true problems. Whereas the minister temporarily, in Hester's arms, yielded to the claims of the flesh, he chose the path of repentance, which is more than one can say for Chillingworth.