time heals all wounds. or does it?

It is often hoped that with time, hurt and pain will fade away. In Dimmesdale’s case however, the passage of time brings with it a steady increase in his suffering. His inner state of continuous guilt eats through his soul, eventually manifesting in his exterior. Rabid feelings snap at the periphery of his remorse, and—on the verge of clamping their poisonous jaws over him—threaten to contaminate him with insanity. He grows “emaciated” and his “rich and sweet” voice begins to flicker with “a certain melancholy prophecy of decay” (117). Disguised as a physical illness, Dimmesdale’s spiritual wound ultimately draws the attention of people around him. At the same time, Fate deposits Roger Chillingworth into Dimmesdale’s personal circle, reflecting the community’s hope that his brilliant medical skills can somehow cure him. The effects of Chillingworth’s therapeutic potions, however, are simultaneously reversed by his constant probing of Dimmesdale’s conscience. Chillingworth’s evil presence and malignant intentions only irritate the tender wound, hindering any chance it has of healing.

A change in Dimmesdale’s health seems to take place in Chapter 18, when Hester suggests an escape plan for the two of them. “A glow of strange enjoyment” (198) illuminates his visage, and he seems to suddenly become invigorated and enlivened with energy. However, this is illusory as seen in the succeeding chapters of the story. Satanic urges plague him as he heads homeward, revealing his increased mental imbalance. He is slowly but surely headed towards the abyss of lunacy.

Whoever said time heals all wounds? For Dimmesdale, it only gets worse.