The Scarlet Letter Transcendentalism

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Transcendentalism is a literary movement characterized by the belief that nature draws out a person’s inner self and puts an individual over society, this can be in conflict with the strict religious nature of the Puritan society. Something connecting Puritans and strong religion. Nathaniel Hawthorne was related to old judges from this time period, he strongly disagreed with the practices and dependency on religion, and he wrote The Scarlet Letter in backlash. Puritan society did not believe in putting individuals over the whole community nor did they believe in finding spirituality in nature. Transcendentalism is a literary movement presented in the book the Scarlet Letter, It is demonstrated through Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Pearl.

The main character of The Scarlet Letter is Hester Prynne, a woman who committed adultery and who is publicly shamed as punishment. Hester is punished by being publicly shamed as well as wearing a scarlet ‘A’ on her chest, if this were committed in real life her punishment would have been more severe. Hawthorne writes, “This women has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.” (46), their society wanted to have her put to death but decided to only give her a brand. Their punishment can be linked to transcendentalism because it puts Hester as an individual over society as a whole, Hester’s life is preserved because …show more content…
Like Hester Dimmesdale uses nature to find inner peace, “I seem to have flung myself- sick, sin-stained, and sorrow-blackened - down- upon these forest leaves, and to have risen up all made anew, with new powers to glorify Him that hath been merciful.” (Hawthorn 185). Dimmesdale was in the forest when he suddenly grows as a person, he sheds his suffering and pain and blooms into someone ready for a better life, and here in the forest Dimmesdale agrees to run away with Hester to
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