self. The Reverend says all this to make sure that no one realizes that he is a sinner as well. The Reverend is also speaking of the pain that he himself feels in his heart. As the story continues, Hester Prynne continues to be plagued by guilt and embarrassment. Every look from a fellow citizen seems to make the scarlet letter burn on her chest. Throughout all this though, Hester Prynne remains true to herself and becomes stronger because of all her trials. Reverend Dimmesdale on the other hand, becomes weaker and weakerbecause of the dark secret he keeps hidden in what his parishioners think to be a miraculous white soul. Day after day his thoughts are taken over by his feelings of guilt and hypocrisy. “He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was. ‘I, your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie’” (Hawthorne 142). At this point it may seem that the Reverend might have an easier life if he, like Hester Prynne, bore a scarlet letter for all to see. Reverend Dimmesdale does in fact wear a scarlet letter on his chest, but it is hidden, just as the truth of his sin is hidden, from the eyes of the public. It seems that life may be restored to Reverend Dimmesdale one day as he speaks with Hester Prynne in the forest. For the first time these partners in sin speak openly about how they feel. Reverend Dimmesdale asks Hester Prynne, “Hast thou found peace?” (Hawthorne 189) At this Hester Prynne smiles and looks at the letter on her chest. It seems as if all the years of open humiliation allows Hester to feel an odd sense of freedom that Dimmesdale does not posses. When Hester Prynne asks Reverend Dimmesdale if he has found peace he replies, “None! -Nothing but despair…What else could I look for, being what I am, and leading such a life as mine? Hester, I am most miserable”...
