Arthur Dimmesdale is the town's minister, who committed adultery with Hester Prynne. He is the father of Pearl. The public doesn't know of his sin. He has changed from having little to no guilt to having so much regret, that he decides to torture himself by starving and whipping himself, makes himself sleep deprived, and stands on the pedestal of shame. He now wants to be part of Pearl's life and have a family with Hester because they are in love. Hester found out that Chillingworth discovered that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father and they are afraid Chillingworth will spill his secret to the public, which has changed him into an also fearful man due to losing his reputation but I believe it has more to do with the guilt of hidden sin. He knows
