Individualism In The Scarlet Letter

Individualism, although specific for each person, is extremely vague in different societies. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Puritan-era novel The Scarlet Letter intensely presents the contradicting representations of individualism and its effect on not only the individuals themselves, but also on the entire society. In Puritan society, individualism is abhorred, yet many influential characters are strikingly different individuals. The Scarlet Letter presents individualism as an integral part of society due to the diversity of human personalities and passions, yet the strict society that Hawthorne depicts limits the true potential of individualism. Hester Prynne, an adulterer and supposed widow, mostly thrives on being an individual, yet is compelled to become active society and declines as the story progresses; Arthur Dimmesdale, however, is very active among the Puritans as a minister, yet has to conceal his true identity as the father of Hester’s child, which creates guilt that ultimately plagues his entire life and leads to his death. Pearl Prynne, however, has no relation or connection to the Puritan society,

therefore she lives freely. The broad variations of individualism can either benefit or corrupt individuals due to the pressure of society.
The Puritan society of Boston, Massachusetts in The Scarlet Letter is mostly conforming to the Puritan ideals of the mid-17th century. However, one lacking quality of the Boston setting is the Puritan commitment of community. John Winthrop, influential Puritan leader in the real world and in the novel, writes in his sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity”, “We must delight in each other; make others’ conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (“A Model of Christian Charity). However, in the entire novel, the only time the community comes together is to witness the persecution of their fellow neighbors.
Hester Prynne, the protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, is un-shamefully herself throughout most of the novel. From the introduction, she is depicted as young and strikingly beautiful in comparison to the other townspeople. She is also a force of unseen bravery, especially in the nature of her sin. In her first appearance, she is said to, “repelled him, by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character, and stepped into the open air, as if by her own free-will” (Hawthorne 36). As part of her punishment, Hester must live outside of the city and always wear a red “A” on her breast. The letter, meant to shame Hester, becomes a defining part of her identity, so much so that she beautifully embroiders the letter using her talent of sewing.
Arthur Dimmesdale, father of Hester Prynne’s daughter, Pearl, is more of a reserved and concealed individual rather than Hester.

He is sensitive and in-tune with emotions unlike the other minsters of the community; therefore, he is highly regarded among the townspeople.
Among all of the characters in the book, Pearl is the most exemplary individual and possibly the human embodiment of individualism. Although she is a product of two Puritans, she is not a child of Puritans; she is a child of nature; she is the only child ever displayed as being born in the New World. While growing up, Pearl is unapologetically bold, right down to her luxurious clothing, handmade by her mother, who chooses to instead remain in the Puritan fashion of gray and simple clothes.
Individualism in The Scarlet Letter is constrained due to the rigid societal influences of the

Puritans.