Sympathy for Chillingworth???

In the beginning of chapter 15, I find myself feeling a sense of sympathy for Roger Chillingworth. He loved Hester, but Hester did not love him. Reading this, I kind of understand where Chillingworth is coming from in his antagonist character.

Chillingworth and Dimmesdale's Relationship

One thing I find really interesting about their relationship in the recent chapters is that Dimmesdale is aware that Chllingworth is out to get him. He has this hatred for the doctor because he knows that the man is constantly watching his every move and breathing down his neck. However, he makes no move at all to get rid of the leech. He suffers silently because of the physician and he doesn't really do anything against him. I'm thinking it's because he no longer has the energy to fight back because his guilt and the doctor's torment of him has sucked it away. What do you guys think?

Pearl

Pearl seems to be a very contradictory character throughout the book. At one point Hester is recounting the absolute majesty that is her daughter and then next she is describing her as an abomination for her creation was through her mother's transgression and now she will always be reminded of it because of her daughter? Do you guys think the author means to cause indifferent feelings about Pearl or does he use certain dominating connotations that sway Pearl's true place in the book as either the abomination or the blessing

Roger Chillingworth

       In The Scarlet Letter, Roger Chillingworth is described as an antagonist in the story and an evil, malicious person for trying to discover Mr. Dimmesdale's darkest secret, "But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a vastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the ugliness of his figure, and making itself ever riotously manifest.." However, is Chillingworth really a villianous person? During the seventeenth century in Boston, the need for religion an American colony causes the belief of Puritanism to increase amongst society. This in an age where science and religion do not intermix with each other and Puritans do not applaud the use of science. During this time, Chillingworth is belittled in the environment because he practices medicine which is focused on science. Now, Chillingworth is after the man who took on Hester's sin. I believe the physician just wishes to be accepted in society and not considered as an outcast for his choice in career and in order to make that happen, he has to be the hero for the town and uncover who Hester had an affair with. Overall, I do not think the old physician is such a bad guy, he just wants to be a part of a movement because he has always been alone and abused for his special medicines to cure others. What do you guys think?

Why is the secret being kept?

So as we continue along further, it's becoming more apparent that Dimsdale is pearl's father. He is becoming ill with guilt,shame and possibly regret and his health is deteriorating fast. So my question is why won't the truth of how he was part of the sin be revealed? I get why he refuses to come out (being a man of high regards) but why won't Hester sells him out? She struggles everyday being lonely, feeling her reminder of shame for eternal, confused as to what pearl is and where will she stand in the future ,etc. Hester carrys heavy burdens on her shoulder yet remains silent. Does she love this man?  Is she being threatened ?

Chillingworth

I just wanted to briefly comment on the way the author portrays Chillingworth in chapter 10 i believe at the end. I dont know about you guys but that last passage gave me the chills. What did he find underneath Dimmesdale's vest? I dont know but the way he acted so satan-like was horrifying. Now i indubitably ;) see Chillingworth as the antagonist here!

Chapter 9

We all know Chillingworth has the strong intention of seeking revenge to the man who had the affair with Hester. He's brilliant and has the advantage of a new identity to aid his search, so he's bound to find out who the father is. Considering we're all sure Dimmsdale is the father and that Chillingworth is very close to his answer whether he knows it or not, I wonder how he'll react to his discovery.

" Yet fear not for him! Think not that I shall interfere with Heaven’s own method of retribution, or, to my own loss, betray him to the gripe of human law. Neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life, no, nor against his fame; if, as I judge, he be a man of fair repute. "
He said himself he plans to leave him alone, but it leaves me wondering if a hidden rage is behind his cold demeanor will get the best of him.

   What do you guys thing Chillingworth will do when he reveals Dimmsdale is the father?