Dimmesdale’s secret is that he is Pearl’s father. This also means that he is Hester’s accomplice in adultery. This secret eats away at him and causes him to start self-punishment. The first thing he does is he scourges, or in other words he beats himself with a whip that has nails in it. Dimmesdale also brands himself with the letter A on his chest. He fasts and holds all night vigils. The fasting causes him to become sick, and the all night vigils with fasting causes him to hallucinate.
Chillingworth secret is eh