There is a relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale that we see here in chapter 9. Chillingworth represents science, while Dimmesdale represents spirituality. Dimmesdale, however, is in a tough predicament. Even though science and spirituality are able to heel people, neither is helping him. Stress can do amazing things to the body, and this is an example of it. Like Chillingworth’s distorted shoulders, Dimmesdale’s sickness is an outward display of an inner problem, and all the medicine and yoga in the world could'nt help him. What hinders his recovery is his incapability to confess his adultery with Hester. The reason he can't do this is because the community depends on him. He understands that he and Hester are a symbol of something larger. Confessing would mean healing his inner being, but destroying is public reputation.
Back to the motif of balance...
Hester, we've decided, is mentally strong to extreme levels. Dimmesdale, having said that, is not at all. He is weak beyond all levels. He should just admit that he is an adulterer right off the bat. The townspeople love him, and he's too scared to tell the truth? If somebody i idolized was hiding something, I'd want to know it. Otherwise I'd be idolizing a fake character, not a true figure.
Good the motif of balance is a good idea to explore - how lack of balance destroys both Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale.
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