Ch+7+through+11-Plot,+character+development

Chapter 7 Summary- Governor Bellingham is considering removing Pearl from Hester's custody, as she is considered to be a demon child and should be raised by someone more respectable.

Chapter 8 Summary- Hester and Pearl meet with Governor Bellingham, Reverend Wilson and Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth. Bellingham and Reverend question Hester on how she is raising Pearl, and ask Pearl if she is a Christian and who created her. Bellingham remarks that it is very obvious that Pearl should be taken away, but both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth support Hester and request that Pearl reamin under her care for the time being. Pearl remains in Hester's care.

Chapter 9 Summary- Dimmesdale appoints Chillingworth to be his spiritual advisor, even though Chillingworth is not very religious. Dimmesdale's fasts and vigils impress the townspeople as he is seen as increasingly holy. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth spend hours together talking about various issues, and they begin to live in the same "lodge".

chapter 10- chapter 11- Dimmesdale reveals that he whips himself as a form of torture. Also, he is almost certain of Chillingworth's true identity. chapter 12- Dimmesdale feels very guilty, so he decides to stand on the scaffold as a form of punishment for himself. He goes there in the middle of the night so that no one can see him. Hester and Pearl join him of the scaffold and Chillingworth spots them all standing there.