--What is their journey? What challenge are they facing? (Text evidence)

Throughout chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12 Dimmesdale encounters an internal conflict that makes him question his values and morals. “the minister, though he had constantly a  dim perception of some evil influence watching  over  him, could never gain a knowledge of its actual nature,” (Hawthorne 137). In this case, the evil influence watching over Dimmesdale would be his guilt.

Furthermore, I think Dimmesdale is on a journey to accept and face his sin just like Hester did. In the story, Dimmesdale does penance, to make up for the sin he has committed, “Locked away in Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet was a bloody whip. This Puritan had often whipped himself with it, laughing bitterly while he did, and then beating himself more brutally for his bitter laughter. He also fasted, as did other pious Puritans. But unlike these others, he did not fast to purify his body and make it a fitter vessel for holy inspiration. He fasted as an act of penance, until his knees trembled beneath him.” (Hawthorne 132). He is in a constant battle against himself to gain absolution for his sin. 

--What is their destination? What destination do they see for themselves?

Throughout the story, Dimmesdale seeks to openly admit his sin but is always too scared to do it. He sees himself publicly displaying his sin just like Hester. Dimmesdale’s prime end destination would be to openly admit his wrongdoings to the people and accept his consequences.

-Three words you would use to describe their journey.

--What do you predict will be their destination? Is it ideal for them?

I predict that their town will begin to unfold their secrets, spread rumors and cause panic among Hester and Dimmesdale. I believe it will affect Dimmesdale’s reputation because the townspeople trust in him right now but this information could lead to Dimmesdale’s cancellation. This may not be directly ideal for them but on a deeper level not holding a secret is a very huge weight lifted off of their shoulders. The truth may hurt but sometimes knowing the truth is worth it in the end.

--Do you think their journey is honorable? Do you think they are relatable?

This journey is honorable because he is trying to find forgiveness for his sin. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone feels guilty for their mistakes. 

-Three words to describe the character.

-Guilty 

- Sensitive

- Religious

--What is their journey? What challenge are they facing? (Text evidence)

Dimmesdale is on the journey of acceptance to his sins and guilt. He is incapable of building up the courage to confess his sin to his people and he hates himself for it.  “It is inconceivable, the agony with which this public veneration tortured him! It was his genuine impulse to adore the truth, and to reckon all things shadow-like, and utterly devoid of weight or value, that had not its divine essence as the life within their life “ (Hawthorne 130). He is physically punishing himself as a consequence of his sins as he would whip himself and starve himself.

--What is their destination? What destination do they see for themselves?

Dimmesdale wants to be back with his family again, and sees himself confessing his guilt in the future. He mentioned himself that “at the great judgment day,” he would be with Hester and Pearl, showing his relationship with them publicly. After keeping his journey a secret to only himself, Hester, and Pearl, he feels as though he needs to let it out due to all the pain that he feels because of it.

-Three words you would use to describe their journey.

-Challenging

-Physically draining

-Shameful

--What do you predict will be their destination? Is it ideal for them?

I predict that Dimmesdale will eventually confess his sin of having an affair with Hester. I think his people will be shocked and disgusted and look down on him for not committing his sin and not confessing earlier. However, this may bring Dimmesdale closer with his family because they will appreciate his honesty and bravery. I think that this destination is ideal for Dimmesdale because it will allow him to get rid of his guilt and he can be with his family happily again. 

--Do you think their journey is honorable? Do you think they are relatable?

I think Dimmesdale’s journey is not honorable but cowardly. He is keeping a secret that is causing Hester to suffer alone and he is incapable of confessing because he is scared of what his people will think of him. Throughout his journey he experiences a lot of guilt and self hatred and if his people knew what sins he had committed they would only look down at him. This is relatable, because it relates to how someone would keep a secret in our daily lives, and how that secret could affect them or someone else in a significant way.

-Manipulative because he knows how to specifically phrase his questions so that he can get the information that he wants and talks in a specific way that increases Dimmesdale’s guilt. 

-Persuasive because he was able to convince the townspeople of Salem that he was just a doctor willing to help out and cure the injured when he was really a man with dark intentions and a hidden past.

-Persistent because he will not stop at anything until he gets what he wants, which is shown by his tormenting of Dimmesdale.

Chillingworth’s journey is one of emotional and personal gain. He wants to discover the truth about Dimmesdale by any means necessary. “It grew to be a widely diffused opinion that the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was haunted either by the Satan himself, or Satan’s emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chillingworth,” (Hawthorne 124).

Chillingworth’s destination is the eventual suffering of Dimmesdale. He sees himself tormenting Dimmesdale until he is ultimately punished by God.

-Bitter

-Destructive

-Controling

What do you predict will be their destination? Is it ideal for them?

We predict that Chillingworth will not be successful with reaching his destination. It is evident that Dimmesdale has committed a horrible sin prior to meeting his doctor, and the guilt is eating him alive. For this reason, Dimmesdale will eventually confess to the sin, which will end his suffering of keeping it to himself, which is why it will not be ideal for Roger. Chillingworth strives when Dimmesdale silently suffers for the appalling sin that he committed, and is working towards his ultimate goal of watching him suffer in front of God and the town. When Dimmesdale is finally able to admit to his wrongdoing, Chillingworth will not be able to hold it over his head. The second that Dimmesdale owns up to sleeping with Hester, is the second that Roger’s journey towards becoming evil is over with an unsuccessful destination.

Do you think their journey is honorable? Do you think they are relatable?
Chillingworth’s journey is not honorable because although he rightly wants revenge on the man that committed sin with Hester, there is no need for him to torment an already saddened and conflicted Minister Dimmesdale. The Reverend himself is already under immense pressure and suffering because he has to choose between confessing his sin and facing distrust and anger from the Salem townspeople or withholding his unlawful act and facing years of internal torment. When Chillingworth enters his life and adds to this torment, it only makes the situation worse for both Dimmesdale and the townspeople because they now view Chillingworth as one of the Devil’s servants who has come to take the minister away from them. I also believe that Chillingworth’s situation is not relatable because there is rarely a scenario where an individual tortures an already aching person for their own personal gain. In short, Roger Chillingworth’s journey is neither honorable nor relatable.