Who Do We Revere?

In chapters 9-13, there are several references made to the large following Mr. Dimmesdale has acquired. While commenting on the Reverend's declining health, the narrator even comments, "Some declared, that, if Mr. Dimmesdale were really going to die, it was cause enough, that the world was not worthy to be any longer trodden by his feet," (Hawthorne 79). Later, the reader discovers the immense shame Mr. Dimmesdale harbors for his actions, providing the reader with a pretty ironic duality to decipher. He guards a secret for which he is ashamed - one that would destroy his livelihood, his reputation, and first and foremost, his sense of purpose. Yet the masses adore him. 

Considering this tangled situation, I began to reflect upon secrets. It has always fascinated me who people choose to revere. Although we are young, wild, and  free (theoretically, that is), we seem to be searching for role models. We're looking for them, we're trying to become them, and we're praying those few we do covet do not disappoint. With that being said,  how can any of us go about choosing "role models" when we are only allowed to see a certain facet of a person? In Mr. Dimmesdale's case, the Reverend is a seemingly Godly man who made a mistake. Everyday since, he hates that mistake, repents, and suffers in order to receive the forgiveness of the Lord but more importantly, the forgiveness of himself. Yes, we cannot know the true motives of other people, but maybe we are absolutely just too hard on one another. Maybe the problem lies in the fact that we do not know the dark inner workings of others and thus feel comfortable in our naivety to assume that malicious intent is the exception. 

In class, we have briefly discussed the concept that we see what we want to see. The people of Boston look to Mr. Dimmesdale as their chief spiritual guide, and while he seems sickly, they do not consider the possibility that his spirit and conscious are what is being ailed. Much like Mr. Dimmesdale, we all harbor demons. The difference lies in the fact that when our own secrets are uncovered, they are often forgiven. Our role models, on the other hand, are expected to be just that - role models. Thus, we are devastated when they disappoint us because we have seen what we want to see and often have no understanding of the person they truly are. We hypocritically condemn those that we revere and often expect the worst from those whom we have not. 

So who do you look up to, and are you sure you know why?