In Chapter 17, Hester finally tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her former husband. His response surprised me. This confession too was shortly after Hester told Dimmesdale that she would be his friend and that she would be there for him if he needed companionship. He responds angrily at first, but then sinks down to depression. He knows then that he cannot live with Chillingworth, a known enemy, any longer. I was mostly surprised that Hester was the one begging for forgiveness. Why wouldn't Dimmesdale forgive her? He is just as much at fault as Hester. I don't understand why she would be the one begging to him. HE should be apologizing to her for impregnating her and not suffering along side of her while she has been ostracized for 7 years. Anyway, Dimmesdale asks Hester what he should do, and she says that he should change his name, escape Massachusetts, and go to Europe. He responds, "thou tellest of running a race to a man whose knees are tottering beneath him!" He acknowledges his weakness from being tortured by his own mind. It seems as if there's no hope for him (not that I'm all that concerned- I side with Hester).
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