Individual Self Vs. Society In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

In the novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, the author leaves an underlying theme of how one wants to appear which contradicts their true intentions or feelings. This not only appears in instances with individual self versus society but also in internal thought and actual speech. The story develops three characters that express the motif. Understanding these characters’ motives and situation, as well as seeing how they struggle with their alternate personas, is vital to understanding Hawthorne's message. The first character, Arthur Dimmesdale, is a pinnacle character in unlocking the motif Hawthorne leaves behind. Arthur’s actions are described as slow and methodical however there are some instances where he can

Throughout the book Hester faces constant ridicule and isolation from the Puritan society, in the beginning she appears to be bashful and prideful for her sin but deep down she is trembling. Hawthorne describes it as “She had fortified herself to encounter the stings and venomous stabs of public contumely, wreaking itself in every variety of insult; but there was a quality so much more terrible in the solemn mood” (Hawthorne 54). This shows the true spirit of Hester. However, notice how she carries herself in a solemn way despite her trying to act confident, this shows that she reflects her true emotions for others to see. Hester’s actions mirror her private thoughts and feelings, something that seems to be absent from the Puritan community. However, there is one instance where Hester breaks this law that the reader puts on her. She debates breaking her promise with Chillingworth “Hester Prynne remained constant in her resolve to make known to Mr. Dimmesdale...the true character of the man who had crept into his intimacy” (Hawthorne 164). This is the only instance where Hester seems to go against her true will, however she does eventually cave and releases the promise that she gave to Chillingworth. Does this make Hester less of a person for telling the truth to her now lover, or is she in the right? Her private thoughts align with her public figure even if it does put her in a weaker position, in this case, at the mercy of Mr. Dimmesdale. Hester however, is also self-aware of what her actions have caused “Hester Prynne was now fully sensible of the deep injury for which she was responsible...she would gladly have lain down on the forest-leaves, and died there at Arthur Dimmesdale’s feet” (Hawthorne 175). Hester realizes the impact her pact with Chillingworth has caused to Dimmesdale, however she is truly sorry for it. She wishes to die at his feet and truly expresses