Arthur Dimmesdale demonstrates many different emotions and symbols throughout the novel, but the character himself is selfish. His emotions toward the community and towards Hester are so diverse and two-faced allowing him to not recognize the real situation. All of his action are for the benefit of himself, and he does not care about the repercussions it has for anyone, including Hester and Pearl. Pearl and Hester want for Dimmesdale to confess to the community that he is the mother of Pearl, but rather he says, "Nay; not so, my little Pearl! […] Not so, my child. I shall, indeed, stand with thy mother thee one other day, but not to-morrow!" (Hawthorne 177). He says this so innocently and calm, but this is such a selfish thing to do, like why
