Churches today can be full of hypocrites. Some religious members and leaders go to church to appear beautiful and attractive to someone else. They present themselves as holy and perfect and incapable of doing evil, but they know they are far from that. As much as they may try to appear and behave like perfect beings, the truth of their imperfect ways will be revealed for all to know. This is the case with the character Arthur Dimmesdale from The Scarlet Letter. Dimmesdale appears incorruptible, revered and strong, but in reality he was corrupt, dishonest and weak. Arthur Dimmesdale presented himself as a man uncorrupted by his social status. Inside he felt unworthy and corrupt because of the sin he had committed. The people of the town considered Dimmesdale a man who could not commit great sins. “People say that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, their devoted pastor, takes very seriously the fact that such a scandal has befallen his congregation.” (48). They did not know that the scandal Dimmesdale had heard was the fornication that occurred between Dimmesdale and the adulteress Hester Prynne. His sinful ways were greatly affecting his health. “Some declared that, if Mr. Dimmesdale was indeed about to die, it was sufficient cause that the world was no longer worthy of being trodden by his feet again.” (106). The people of the town respected him so much that they thought it was the world that was corrupt and not Dimmesdale. As the town's pastor, Dimmesdale was a revered man. He had the responsibility of spiritually guiding the people of the city. Even though he has tried to live a double life as a shepherd and a man who is trying to keep his greatest sin a secret. He cannot come to terms with confessing his sin even though his guilt is...middle of paper...ter." (149). While Hester had to receive the penance of her actions and overcome it, Dimmesdale was still in hiding as the coward he appeared to be. He regards Hester as the one who best resolved the situation by saying, “Happy are you, Hester, who openly wear the scarlet letter on my breast it burns in secret!” (167) Dimmesdale envies Hester's letter because she does not need to hide from anyone and live in secret. Towards the end of his life, Dimmesdale has enough strength to admit his sinful actions and declares God's mercy. war that is happening inside Arthur Dimmesdale is a war between appearance and reality. Dimmesdale finally overcomes his tribulations and admits his hypocritical ways Although the people of the town considered him their shepherd incorruptible, revered and strong, they realized that he was corrupt, dishonest and weak..