When Pearl notices the two men, she drags her mother away, saying that the "Black Man" has already gotten the minister and that he must not capture them too.
Chillingworth catches Dimmesdale sleeping and thrusts aside the vestment to discover the letter A upon his chest. After this, there is no doubt in Chillingworth's mind that Dimmesdale's is Pearl's father.
Chillingworth's suspicions about Dimmesdale being Pearl's father are first aroused during a conversation where he observes Dimmesdale's physical and emotional reaction to Pearl and Hester. Dimmesdale's guilt and anguish become apparent, particularly when he sees Pearl and interacts with Hester, revealing a deeper connection to them. Additionally, Chillingworth notices the minister's deteriorating health and inner turmoil, which further convinces him that Dimmesdale harbors a secret related to Hester and Pearl.
Chillingworth wants revenge on Dimmesdale and wants to continue tormenting him. He sees Dimmesdale's public confession as a potential end to his suffering and manipulation over him. Chillingworth sees Dimmesdale's confession as a threat to his power and control over the situation.
What piece of unwelcome news does the master of the ship on which she Pearl and Dimmesdale are to sail have for Hester?according to this question, I believe the answer would be"When Hester sees Chillingworth talking to the ship captain, she has an uneasy feeling. When the captain makes a point of telling her that Chillingworth will be sailing with them to Bristol, she is devastated. Chillingworth obviously knows of the secret plans that she and Dimmesdale have made, for he looks at Hester and smiles knowingly."
Chillingworth notes that Dimmesdale's defense of Hester during her public shaming is a sign of his inner torment and guilt. He sees it as a sign of Dimmesdale's own involvement in the sin that they share with Hester.
Dimmesdale sees a mark in the shape of a letter "A" on Chillingworth's chest, which represents the guilt and sin that Chillingworth carries. This mark symbolizes the burden of guilt that Chillingworth embodies and the destructive nature of seeking revenge.
In "The Scarlet Letter," when Chillingworth enters the minister's room, he sees Arthur Dimmesdale sleeping with his shirt unbuttoned, revealing the Scarlet Letter that Hester Prynne has embroidered on his chest. Chillingworth becomes convinced that Dimmesdale is indeed the father of Hester's child, Pearl, as he had suspected all along.
Chillingworth believes he has a double reason for punishing Dimmesdale because, as Hester Prynne's estranged husband, he feels betrayed by both Dimmesdale's affair with Hester and the minister's failure to confess his sin. Moreover, Chillingworth sees Dimmesdale's hidden guilt as a source of inner torment, which he seeks to exacerbate through psychological manipulation. This dual motivation stems from both personal vendetta and a perceived moral obligation to reveal the truth.
Chillingworth notes that Dimmesdale seems to defend Hester out of guilt or a sense of responsibility rather than genuine affection. He sees Dimmesdale's defense as more about preserving his own reputation and avoiding public shame rather than true care for Hester.
Herter sees a transformation in Chillingworth from a scholar to a vengeful, obsessed man seeking revenge on Dimmesdale. Chillingworth's appearance also changes, becoming more sinister and malevolent as his obsession consumes him. His character shifts from a seemingly benign doctor to a malicious and manipulative antagonist.
Dimmesdale is impelled by his guilt and desire for confession to stand on the scaffold as a form of public penance. Additionally, the mysterious hold that Chillingworth has over him contributes to his inner turmoil and compels him to seek some form of release.
Roger Chillingworth was Hester's husband, with whom she had lost contact. He sees her upon the scaffold, and rejects all ties to her. However, he perceives the true identity of Dimmesdale, Hester's lover, and goes on to torture Dimmesdale with his presence, while expending great effort to keep Dimmesdale alive in the guilt of his iniquity. He makes Hester promise never to reveal his identity as her husband. When he dies, however, he leaves a significant portion of his wealth to Pearl, who goes on to live a high-society life in England.