Am. Stu./ Leech Kroll
The Scarlet Letter Chapters 9 & 10: “The Leech” and “The Leech and His Patient”
Leech=
1. A parasitic, bloodsucking worm; a worm that lives by sucking the blood from its
host.
2. (Slang) A physician, particularly during the 19th century, as leeches were
frequently used by physicians to “bleed” their patients (and are currently being
used by doctors for the same purpose)…
3. A person that preys on or clings to another person in parasitic fashion.
The real question for these chapters is: Who is the leech here? Who is the leech’s “host”, who
is the leeching preying on? Why?
As you review, look for as many descriptions of leeching as you can find and record them….
Chapter 9 “The Leech”:
1. What new identity has Chillingworth assumed in the colony? Why is he successful?
2. To whom in the colony does Chillingworth attach himself as a medical advisor?
3. Describe Dimmesdale’s health. See p. 113.
4. What gesture has become Dimmesdale’s habit?
Am. Stu./ Leech Kroll
5. Quote a sentence from this chapter that associates Chillingworth with evil.
6. What two opposing views do the townspeople hold about Roger Chillingworth?
Chapter 10: “The Leech and His Patient”
1. What “investigation” consumes Chillingworth? Who is Chillingworth’s main suspect
and victim? (Beginning of the chapter, p. 121)
2. When Chillingworth sees some dark weeds growing on a tomb, what does he tell
Dimmesdale about them? What caused those weeds to grow, according to the “leech”?
(p. 123)
3. Why, according to Dimmesdale, would a man live with guilt rather than confess his sin?
(pp. 124-125)
4. What reaction does Pearl have to Chillingworth when she sees him with Rev.
Dimmesdale? (p. 126)
5. What, according to Chillingworth, is causing Dimmesdale’s sickness? (pp. 127-128)
6. IMPORTANT: At the end of this chapter, Chillingworth sees Dimmesdale sleeping and
opens his clothes to examine Dimmesdale’s body. (Yes, this is a very creepy scene!!!)
Carefully review the end of the chapter, page 129 and in particular page 130. What is
Chillingworth’s reaction to what he sees on Dimmesdale’s body? Be as specific as you can.
Given his reaction, what do you think Chillingworth has seen???