So when Hester Prynne committed adultery, it affected many people. Specifically, Hester Prynne, Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, and Dr. Robert Chillingworth were adversely affected. The application of the parable of the “pearl of great price” provides clear insight into the minds of these three characters. When the merchant sold all he had for one large pearl, these three colonists all had their symbolic pearls for which they paid an immense price; Hester paid her reputation and position in society for her daughter, Pearl; Reverend Dimmesdale paid his health for his faith and his position in the clergy; Dr. Chillingworth paid his sanity and his personality for this