After discovering the identity of Pearl's father, look back through Ch. 9 and 10 and discuss the evidence pointing to and foreshadowing his identity. Add quotations in support of your answer and explain how the quotation indicates Hester's cohort.
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The evidence pointing to and foreshadowing his true identity is depicted well. Roger Chillingworth investigates the identity of Pearl’s father for the sole purpose of seeking revenge. He showed great interest in Dimmsdale. Hester's sin that was publicly displayed that remained concealed he sought to find its true identity.
As Roger continues to question Dimmesdale he is suggesting that he can never help Dimmesdale as long as the minister conceals things. The minister says "his sickness is a sickness of the soul” and says that he will not reveal his secret to “an earthly physician.” This upsets Dimmesdale causing him to leave the room.
Other examples are when he kissed her on the head, and he grew weak after not showing his own guilt on the scaffold.
This is a foreshadowing of the eventual revelation.
During these chapters, it was learned that Pearl's father was Dimmesdale. However, before it was clearly stated that he was the father, there were many things that occured in which would help one believe that Dimmesdale was the father. One thing that I noticed was that they talked of Mr. Dimmesdale as an apostle. He was a man who was admired by many."..was considered by his more fervent admirers as a little less than a heaven-ordained apostle.." (Hawthorne 109). I think this could show the forshadowing of how he could be Pearl's father. This I feel is a good example becuase he sinned. If he was looked upon as an apostle, then him being Pearl's father would show how he is not an apostle and would change the way the people felt about him. Another example of forshadowing was when Dimmesdale and Chillingworth were talking. It was stated, "'Wherefore not; since all the powers of natrue call so earnestly for the confession of sin...'" (Hawthorne 119). This shows how they are talking of sin. Since Dimmesdale sinned by sleeping with Chillingworth's wife, forshadowing was shown. He should confess the sins of sleeping with somebody who is unavailable to him.
After discovering the identity of Pearl’s father, Reverend Dimmesdale, in chapter 12 we are able to look back and see key details, which foreshadowed this revealing. It is revealed to us that Dimmesdale is the father after Roger Chillingworth, his physician, has found out what Dimmesdale fears, and therefore uses his knowledge of this secret to make Dimmesdale feel guilty. With the guilt of his “secret” hovering over him with everything that he does, he eventually reveals his sin to Chillingworth, though still keeping it secret from the rest of society.
Looking back in chapters 9 and 10 we are able to see foreshadowing which leads to Dimmesdale guild and eventual revelation of his sin. In chapter 9 we see Chillingworth and Dimmesdale relationship become closer, moving in together and spending more time together. In chapter 10 Chillingworth begins to question Dimmesdale on his views about whether humans should reveal there sins or whether they should keep them bottled inside. When confronted with this question, Dimmesdale becomes very weary, hesitating with the answer. We see the speech that Chillingworth gives to Dimmesdale about revealing secrets:
“The heart, making itself guilty of such secrets, must perforce hold them, until the day when all hidden things shall be revealed” (Hawthorne 100). Again we can see “And, I conceive moreover, that the hearts…but with a joy unutterable” (Hawthorne 100). Both of these quotes show the fear in Dimmesdale because of the secrets that he himself holds inside.
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