Hester and the Doctor

    Dimmesdale isn't the only one being overwhelmed by guilt. Hester notices his unhealthy condition and begins to suspect Chillingworth might be the cause of it. Even though she made a promise, Hester's guilt has driven her to tell the truth. She decides to confront Chillingworth on the beach. She notices the seven years change in Chillingworth. He was no longer studious, calm and quiet man he once was. He looked fierce and this shocked Hester. 
    Once Hester had told Chillingworth that she wants to reveal the truth, Chillingworth quickly jumps to his defense by saying he's done nothing wrong to Dimmesdale. This I believe is not true. He's put more stress upon Dimmesdale by questioning his sins and making his condition worse. 
    "Forgive, and leave his further retribution to the Power that claims it! I said, but now, that there could be no good event for him, or thee, or me, who are here wandering together in this gloomy maze of evil, and stumbling, at every step, over the guilt where with we have strewn our path."-Hawthorne
    Hester tells Chillingworth to forgive and let go of his yearning for revenge. Her metaphor for this situation is strong. Chillingworth also uses a strong metaphor by saying she planted a seed of evil inside him when she stumbled in her life. He tells her to let the black flower bloom and leave him be.