Individualism In The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter: Nature’s Individualist Every individual is born universally in nature, all starting from the same humble beginnings. The only way we gain our originality in life, is when we look deeper into the eyes of nature and see that her small flaws are mirrored in us as well. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester Prynne embodies the characteristics of the self- reliant individual. The novel takes place in Puritan sixteenth century Massachusetts telling the story of Hester’s adulterous life. Convicted of adultery, Hester is sentenced to public humiliation and forced to wear a crimson letter “A” on her breast the rest of her life. Through many struggles and embarrassments Hester learns to except her fate …show more content…
It was expected that Hester would look haggard and worn out, but in fact she was presented in the exact opposite. Hester, to the surprise of her fellow townspeople, strutted out of the prison looking extravagantly beautiful. Hester so simply yet so powerfully embodies what it means to be a non- conformist in this scene that its almost shocking Emerson himself did not write this scene. As she strode out, with “that SCARLET LETTER, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated on her bosom,” it is hard for one to not envy her undying courage. Here is a woman who could easily tried and hung for her crimes, smiling with her head held high. There is something extremely respectable about a woman like that. Like Emerson says, “nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Breaking away from the puritan values that all of her time were bound to, Hester is mocked and punished for simply doing as Emerson says and following the integrity of her own mind. Hester’s unwavering faith in her fellow sinner Dimmsdale, herself, and love for her daughter pearl also seem to be major forces that allow her to transgress the social chains puritanism has set on her. Throughout the novel her devotion to these individuals provide solace for her in times of harsh ridicule. An important question to as oneself is where Hester’s non-conformity sprouts from, if defying puritanism was …show more content…
As Emerson gladly believes, nature is an awesome force that allows us to find ourselves for what we truly are. Hester emphasizes Emerson’s call to nature, when she decides to remove herself from the inner workings of the city to the outskirts in the woods. The puritans seem to find the woods to be a horrid place where nothing but evil events occur. Hester’s non- conformity allows her to see that nature could in fact bring a peace to her that no other force could. Hawthorne himself describes the healing forces of nature through the rose bush outside of the prison, “the deep heart of nature could pity and be kind to him.” (1.2) Nature is a healing force that allows individuals to find who they are. In Emerson’s work Nature he speaks of the child-like innocence nature brings saying, “In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough, and at what period soever of life, is always a child. In the woods, is perpetual youth. nature acts as a child like friend to pearl by being a force that can’t be crushed by the submission of puritan civilization. Nature offers Pearl a friend when she doesn’t have one, and provides a safe haven for Hester away from the ridicule of the townspeople. It is in the woods where Hester finds herself. Hawthorne shows that nature could morally cleanse a person in describing Hester’s state towards the end of the