Describe in great detail the encounter between Hester and Chillingworth in the prison cell. What do we learn? Who is chillingworth? What does he tell...

This scene
provides us with some critical information.   has just learned that her husband is alive,
complicating her situation.  She needs medical treatment, and he is a doctor; this is a clever
technique that Hawthorne uses to get them together in the prison (as well as getting / together
later in the storm).  Hester is afraid that the "potion" that he is mixing is a poison
will kill them; he assures them that he has no interesting in doing them any harm; they discuss
their past relationship, and both of them admit that there was no love in their relationship,
that they both entered into marriage with their own agenda.  This information is critical to
understanding why Chillingworth seeks no revenge on Hester.  Perhaps more importantly, though,
it is during this interview that Chillingworth strikes a deal with Hester that may be the only
thing she feels real personal guilt about.  Chillingworth makes Hester swear that she will not
reveal his identity.  Although this seems harmless, it becomes horrible for her as she watches
Chillingworth destroy Dimmesdale and honors her promise to say nothing.

It's
a great scene that sets the stage for what is to follow in the next 7 years
...