Which action does Chillingworth intend to pursue as part of his vow?

Which action does Chillingworth intend to pursue as part of his vow?

• A. Punish Hester through social exile
• B. Help the town's doctors
• C. Determine the baby's paternity
• D. Find out who Hester had the baby with

Answer: (D)

Chillingworth’s vow drives him to uncover the person responsible for Hester’s sin. He returns to the settlement and commits to finding the man who fathered Pearl, not to help or Exile Hester or to perform any neutral medical queries. His line about pursuing the culprit “as I would seek a pestilence” shows the vengeance-driven motive: unmasking the lover and exacting punishment on him for the harm done to Hester and to himself. That focus—discovering who Hester had the baby with—best fits what he vows to pursue.

Chillingworth’s vow drives him to uncover the person responsible for Hester’s sin. He returns to the settlement and commits to finding the man who fathered Pearl, not to help or Exile Hester or to perform any neutral medical queries. His line about pursuing the culprit “as I would seek a pestilence” shows the vengeance-driven motive: unmasking the lover and exacting punishment on him for the harm done to Hester and to himself. That focus—discovering who Hester had the baby with—best fits what he vows to pursue.