She presents him as being a stranger in the novel, but yet when is placed in the prison for her crime, she comes in contact with the alleged stranger and realizes that it is her husband. Roger Chillingworth changed his name to verify that he is in no relation with Hester. He presumed himself as a doctor in the community and visited Hester in prison while she was acclaimed sick. Chillingworth states, "because I will not encounter the dishonor that besmirches the husband of a faithless woman. It may be for other reasons. Enough, it is my purpose to live and die unknown. Let, therefore, thy husband be to the world as one already dead, and of whom no tidings shall ever come. Recognize me not, by word, by thou wottest of. Shouldst thou fail me in this, beware!" (Pg. 71) After Chillingworth threatens Hester with the secret she remains in silence of his identity from everyone for she knows that the burden of adultery and embarrassment she has placed on herself would only bring it upon Chillingworth if anyone knew of his true identity. .
Although Chillingsworth may endure great embarrassment, Dimmesdale's is more than just deceit of being ones husband, but ones secret lover and father. Dimmesdale struggles throughout the novel of The Scarlet letter, causing him great immortal torment both physically and mentally. He must keep to himself those hidden secrets of being a lover and also a father to those in which he truly cares about the most. Dimmesdale must hide his pain in the eyes of others by concealing the crime he commits as being an adulterer and a father of a child of sin. Dimmesdale must act in the community as being for the people and yet for the lover and father that he truly is deep down. He must go to only Hester and Pearl in the forest for there they are safe and away from the poverty of the community that constantly haunts him by seeing Hester on the scaffold embracing her sin so publicly knowing that he cannot do the same.
