Final answer:
Dimmesdale climbs the scaffold in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel as an act of penance and deals with chest pain due to the guilt of his concealed sin, symbolizing his moral and emotional conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding why Dimmesdale climbs the scaffold at night and the source of his chest pain primarily revolves around the complex themes of guilt, penance, and redemption present in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter. Dimmesdale, a minister in the novel, climbs the scaffold at night as a silent act of penance and an attempt to reconcile with his concealed sin. Suffering from immense guilt, his clandestine crime manifests physically, contributing to his chest pain; it is a symbolic representation of his emotional and moral torment. This actions and its consequences reflect the intense psychological conflict Dimmesdale faces as he grapples with his personal transgressions versus his public persona.
Dimmesdale climbs the scaffold at night in the novel 'The Scarlet Letter' because he is consumed by guilt for his affair with Hester Prynne and the secret child they share. The scaffold is a public symbol of shame and punishment, and by climbing it at night when no one is watching, Dimmesdale attempts to alleviate his guilt and find some form of penance. The source of his chest pain is metaphorically linked to his guilt and inner turmoil. It is suggested that the pain is a physical manifestation of his conscience and the weight of his secret sin.