What is Dimmesdale's reaction to the truth?

• A. He becomes furious and blames Hester
• B. At first he is shocked, but he calms down and forgives Hester, seeing Chillingworth is the core sinner
• C. He withdraws from society and refuses to speak
• D. He confesses publicly his sin

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how Dimmesdale handles a painful truth about guilt and who bears responsibility for it. When the truth about Hester’s sin and Chillingworth’s true role comes to light, his initial response is shock—the revelation clashes with his carefully guarded private guilt and the illusion of his moral standing. Yet he moves past that shock and reaches a calmer understanding: Chillingworth is the real sinner, the one who has twisted and tormented him, not Hester alone. This shift allows him to release some of his resentment toward Hester and to forgive her, recognizing that their shared burden of sin is more about the truth and mercy than about blame. This moment aligns with the novel’s themes of mercy, guilt, and the possibility of redemption, even as Dimmesdale’s ultimate public confession remains a separate, later step.