Question

What effect does Dimmesdale's confession have on Chillingworth, as explained in the conclusion of The Scarlet Letter?

A. Chillingworth commends Dimmesdale on his honesty.
B. He is rejuvenated by Dimmesdale's confession, and experiences better health.
C. He is crippled by the weight of Dimmesdale's confession, and withers away and dies within a year.
D. Chillingworth is so embarrassed by Dimmesdale's confession that he leaves Salem for England.

Answer 1

Dimmesdale's confession basically kills Chillingworth. He has nothing left to live for. With Chillingworth's control over Dimmesdale over, he withers away and dies.

Answer 2

Well, Chillingworth dies at the end of the novel, which means that you can rule out B and D. A is also incorrect because Chillingworth hated Dimmesdale and wanted him dead, which did finally occur. This leaves us with C as the correct answer because Dimmesdale's confession of adultery caused him to die as well.