What theme about the nature of sin finally begins to emerge in Hester and Dimmesdale’s conversation? In chapter 17.

I believe this chapter opens up the possibility that there are layers of sin and different ways of looking at the sinner. In this context, I think the author is trying to illustrate that although Hester and Dimmesdale have both sinned..... Hester has been punished, Dimesdale has punished himself, and Chillingworth has played God by punishing them both.