How Is The Scarlet Letter Conforming To Society

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In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne expresses his opinions on how society should behave through the Romantic idea that rebelling against society’s harsh expectations leads to one becoming a more individual person. In the very beginning, the main character, Hester Prynne, is publicly shamed and punished by her society for committing the crime of adultery. The most significant part of her punishment is that she has to wear the letter ‘A’ on her chest (48-51). Hester embroiders her ‘A’ and seems to treat it less as a punishment and more as an opportunity to be a part of society through selling her elaborate needlework (75-76), but she explains that New England, “had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment,” (74). …show more content…

In Hawthorne's eyes, Hester did not commit any crime and that conforming to her belief that the Puritans expect her to stay, does not make her more individualistic. Eventually near the end of the book, Hester decides that she is done conforming to society so she rips the Scarlet Letter from her chest and is bathed in holy light that she hasn't felt since she donned the letter (182-183). Hawthorne describes Hester in this moment with, “a radiant and tender smile, that seemed gushing from the very heart of womanhood. A crimson flush was glowing on her cheek, that had long been so pale. Her sex, her youth, and the whole richness in her beauty, came back,” (183). By taking off the Scarlet Letter, Hester becomes this radiant light burning through the expectations of

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