Puritan American Individualism

American Individualism

“American Individualism” by definition is the doctrine that individuals best serve the public interest by pursuing their own self interest. Everyone always associates America as a metaphorical “melting pot”, meaning it is a society where many divergent types of people blend together to form as one despite cultural, religious, or race differences. Although America has proven to be very individual and unique, it hasn’t always been.

“American Individualism” to the Puritans wasn’t very “individual” at all. The Puritans conformed heavily to religion and practiced following the laws of the bible. John Winthrop, a

Puritan who preached his ideals and was very notorious for doing so, wrote many sermons which perfectly showed

He fully explains the rules and how to follow them. Comparing the idea of “American Individualism” to the Puritans, it is clear to see that for the Puritans there was so individuality. Everyone had a set of rules to follow and they didn’t have to think for themselves. The Puritans never got the opportunity to really form their own opinion

2 and be independent. They obeyed the rules and never thought twice, never allowing themselves to follow their own human instincts.

Years later during the 18th century, Puritan perfection faded and turned into stories.

Many authors reflected on the Puritan times but didn’t really express the need to follow the rules of the Puritans. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter” he reminded us of the times because the book is based in a Puritan community. Also in the novel, there were examples of sin and people with actual struggles: something hardly ever seen in the Puritan writings. The 18th century writings showed proof of more “American Individualism”. In Hawthorne’s novel,

Hester, the main character, sinned and must learn to deal with her punishment. Unlike the Puritan times, Hawthorne actually talks about human instinct. The book says Hester “had

She was being an individual and learning more about herself and her own morals. The 18th century revealed more of what “American Individualism” really means.

The 18th century hinted at what it means to be independent but the Transcendentalists showed what “American Individualism” really means. The Transcendentalists primarily believed that people are best when they are truly self-reliant and authentic. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a writer of this time, says “let us demand our own works and laws and worship” (Emerson, pg.

1073). He believes that we should all be ourselves and follow our own human nature instead of conforming to laws and other restrictions. Emerson also talks abundantly about nature. He indicates that “in the woods, we return to reason and faith” (1075) and by faith, he means our own human instincts not religion. He goes on to explain that God is in everything: every grain of

3 sand, every breeze from the wind, and inside every living being. Because God is in everything, including ourselves, he says that we should trust our own hearts and minds over anything else.

This is closely related to “American Individualism” because everyone is being their own self