e. Dimmesdale tries to tell people he is bad, but the crowds only think he is better because o fit. Dimmesdale feels even guiltier because he is so worshiped for being pure and sinless.Dimmesdale is unable to confess so he punishes himself in other ways. He brutally beats himself in a closet while laughing. He also stays up all night imaging that everyone hates him while staring into a mirror. One night he gets an idea to do something and gets dressed in fancy attire and walks out of his house.Chapter 12: The Ministers VigilDimmesdale leaves his house to stand on the same scaffold Hester originally stood on. He is unable to be seen because clouds cover the moon. Dimmesdale screams when he realized he has accomplished nothing by standing there. Governor Bellingham and Mistress Hibbins both awake to investigate, but dont see him. Late Dimmesdale sees Mr. Wilson walking out of Governor Winthrops home. He had been there to stay with him while he died. Dimmesdale almost calls out to Mr. Wilson, but losses his nerve.Some time passes and Dimmesdale imagines himself still there in the morning for all to see. He laughs out loud at this. Someone lese answers his laughter. Its Pearl, accompanied y Hester, returning also from the home of the later Governor Winthrop. He invites them to join him on the scaffold and when they come up they all join hands with Pearl in the middle.Pearl repeatedly asks Dimmesdale to join her and Hester on the scaffold at noon the next day. He refuses. Dimmesdale sees Pearl point at something and he sees a comet form a giant letter A in the sky. The author hints that it was all in his mind. Pearl continues to point and he realizes she is pointing at Roger. Dimmesdale is frightened and asks Hester who he really is. Hester refuses because of her earlier vow. Pearl says she knows and when he ends down to listen she only mumbles nonsense in his ear. Pearl says it is because he wouldnt stand with them the next day. Chillingwor...
