In chapters 9-11, the focus centers around Mr. Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth. People have begun to notice a decline in Mr. Dimmesdale's health and find it upsetting that he doesn’t have someone to care for him at home. To resolve this issue, they look to Roger Chillingworth to live with the minister. People see his arrival in their town as a miracle, as his medicinal capabilities can help Mr. Dimmesdale's failing health. At first, the Reverand denies help but ultimately acquiesces due to pressure from elders and Chillingworth himself. The pair move in together and begin an interesting relationship. Mr. Dimmesdale is fascinated by the scientific nature of Chillingworth's work. On the other hand, Chillingworth looks deeply into the possible cause of Mr. Dimmesdale's strange illness. Hawthorne writes, "[Chillingworth] strove to go deep into his patient’s bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections...Few secrets can escape an investigator, who has opportunity and license to undertake such a quest, and skill to follow it up" (111). Nevertheless, the men cultivate a close relationship and begin to learn more about one another.
Both of the men have secrets about themselves. Chillingworth has sworn Hester to secrecy regarding his true identity which is now being questioned by the town. People have noticed a change in his demeanor, stating "Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight, the oftener they looked upon him" (114-15). Similarly, Mr. Dimmesdale is hiding something, as observed through Chillingworth's discoveries and the internal torment we see him go through. Later on in the reading, we see evidence of how this secret is eating away at him from the inside. It is slowly deteriorating his mental and physical state, a notion we conceive when he starts having visions. Hawthorne utilizes both men, along with Hester, as examples of secret sin. As the chapters progress, more is revealed and the anguish of the characters holding these secrets intensifies.
