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"The soul beheld its features..." - Personification

"...Arthur Dimmesdale put forth his hand, chill as death..." - Simile

"...something slight and casual to run before, and throw open the doors of intercourse..." - Personification

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How do sin or the perception of sin, along with guilt and revenge, affect people physically, psychologically, and emotionally?

Hester became mentally stronger by chapter 17. Dimmesdale was physically and psychologically weaker. He was also more emotional and hysterical.

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'“Thou shalt not go alone!” answered she, in a deep whisper.'

This is important because Hester is trying to console Dimmesdale. He believes that he is going to be alone.

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'“It cannot be!” answered the minister, listening as if he were called upon to realize a dream. “I am powerless to go. Wretched and sinful as I am, I have had no other thought than to drag on my earthly existence in the sphere where Providence hath placed me. Lost as my own soul is, I would still do what I may for other human souls! I dare not quit my post, though an unfaithful sentinel, whose sure reward is death and dishonor, when his dreary watch shall come to an end!”'

This is important because it shows Dimmesdale is starting to feel sorry for himself again.

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'“There is a strange secrecy in his nature,” replied Hester, thoughtfully; “and it has grown upon him by the hidden practices of his revenge. I deem it not likely that he will betray the secret. He will doubtless seek other means of satiating his dark passion.”'

This quote is important because it describes Chillingworth's dark personality that he adopted.

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'“I freely forgive you now. May God forgive us both! We are not, Hester, the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest! That old man’s revenge has been blacker than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Thou and I, Hester, never did so!”'

This quote is important because it shows that Dimmesdale has finally come to terms with his sin and he also forgives Hester for withholding the fact that her husband was Chillingworth from him.

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'"Why did I not understand? O Hester Prynne, thou little, little knowest all the horror of this thing! And the shame!—the indelicacy!—the horrible ugliness of this exposure of a sick and guilty heart to the very eye that would gloat over it!"'

This is important because it shows his reaction to the news.

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'“Dost thou not see what I would say? That old man!—the physician!—he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!—he was my husband!”’

Her attempt failed and she and to verbally say that Chillingworth is her husband.

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‘“Thou hast long had such an enemy, and dwellest with him under the same roof!”’

Hester tried to get Dimmesdale to put two and two together to figure out that Chillingsworth is actually her husband without saying it.

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‘“You wrong yourself in this,” said Hester, gently. “You have deeply and sorely repented. Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past. Your present life is not less holy, in very truth, than it seems in people’s eyes. Is there no reality in the penitence thus sealed and witnessed by good works? And wherefore should it not bring you peace?”’

This quote is important because it shows that Hester is trying to console him.

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‘“The people reverence thee,” said Hester. “And surely thou workest good among them! Doth this bring thee no comfort?”’

This is important because she is asking why he still feels horrible even after all the good he has done to the people over the years.

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'Each a ghost, and awe-stricken at the other ghost! They were awe-stricken likewise at themselves; because the crisis flung back to them their consciousness, and revealed to each heart its history and experience, as life never does, except at such breathless epochs.'

This is important because it describes what it was like when they looked at each other.

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‘“Arthur Dimmesdale!” she said, faintly at first; then louder, but hoarsely. “Arthur Dimmesdale!”’

This is important because she had to get his attention in order to talk to him. He had almost walked right past her without noticing her.