Transcendentalism in the scarlet letter. The Scarlett Letter : Transcendentalism 2022-10-14
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Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the early 19th century in the United States. It is characterized by the belief that individuals can transcend their physical and social surroundings and gain a higher understanding of the world through intuition and the inner self. This belief is reflected in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, which tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who is punished for committing adultery and must wear a scarlet "A" on her chest as a symbol of her sin.
The character of Hester embodies the transcendentalist ideal of self-reliance and individualism. Despite the shame and persecution she faces for her actions, Hester remains true to herself and refuses to conform to the expectations of society. She takes responsibility for her actions and does not seek forgiveness or redemption from others. Instead, she focuses on her own inner growth and development, becoming a symbol of strength and resilience for those around her.
The character of the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, on the other hand, represents the opposite of transcendentalism. Dimmesdale is a highly respected member of the community, but he is also guilty of committing adultery with Hester. Rather than embracing his inner self and accepting responsibility for his actions, Dimmesdale lives in fear and denial, choosing to hide his sin and suffer in silence.
The contrast between Hester and Dimmesdale highlights the central theme of the novel: the importance of individualism and self-reliance in the face of societal pressure. Hester's willingness to stand up for herself and embrace her inner self, even in the face of harsh judgment, ultimately leads to her redemption and growth. Dimmesdale's inability to do the same leads to his downfall and eventual death.
In conclusion, The Scarlet Letter is a powerful exploration of the transcendentalist philosophy of self-reliance and individualism. Through the characters of Hester and Dimmesdale, Hawthorne illustrates the importance of embracing one's inner self and standing up for oneself, even in the face of societal pressure and judgment.
Transcendentalism in The Scarlet Letter
But in the end, they were not the terrible people. Once released from prison, Hester, an adulterer, becomes a public spectacle. Through all the twists and turns there are a few things that stick out in the readers mind such as the progression of their relationship, the behavior and psychology of Pearl and how the novel could be seen as a story almost all about Pearl. The author does this through the exchange of deep conversations between characters about their beliefs and the actions these characters are willing to take to prove their devotion. Essay On The Treatment Of Men And Women In The Scarlet Letter 999 Words 4 Pages The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, functions as an evaluation of Puritan ideas, customs, and culture during the 17th century. Through his travels, Chris carried essays by Transcendentalist philosophers Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, suggesting that McCandless is impacted by Transcendentalist ideals. Although, most claim he is a heavy Dark Romantic influence, in The Scarlet Letter his attractiveness toward the Transcendentalist movement - shine - through.
They enter the forest prisoners of their community's judgment; they leave it freed by the emancipating forces of nature, which brings them back to their true, natural selves. Yet she harbors a seed of doubt, because she loves Reverend Dimmesdale, and there is something in her feelings for him and for their affair that she can't condemn entirely. The first example of this is the first major scene which is set in the sun, confronting Hester on the scaffold. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were central figures. As a dying act, he admitted his sins. His wife, Sophia Peabody, practiced transcendentalism, but he spent a year living and working at Brook Farm in Massachusetts, which was a transcendental community. Hawthorne symbolized Hester as an agent and a rebel who violates laws as Tony Tanner offered a likely justification by saying that:… Metaphors Throughout the Scarlet Letter In this scene, the reader is able to see inside Hester's head.
Examples Of Transcendentalism In The Scarlet Letter
The Transcendental movement embodied the spirit of hope and exuded emotion over logic. Even though Hester and Pearl live as social outcasts mocked by the entire community, unable to attend Church services, and not accepted into the Puritan school they somehow seem closer to their the divine and are much more free than others in the community. They said that it meant Able, so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman 's strength. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, he gives us just a glimpse into the life of a Puritan. Mark Van Doren and D.
This dynamic continues throughout the novel. He was born Nathaniel Hathorne, but later changed his name to cleanse himself of its religious stigma. Such hypocrisy can be seen in the poor and sick whom Hester helps; they can't see how ridiculous they are to accept her help in one instant and condemn her in the next. One of the characters who show some transcendental traits are Pearl. Since 2005, she has taught literature, writing, and philosophy courses at the university and graduate levels.
It was here in the Old Manse where Emerson, Throwe, and Alcott met to discuss ideas and have riveting debates. She can lean on herself and successfully support herself and her daughter in her young age. Hester and Pearl live as social outcasts who can't attend Church services, and Pearl is not accepted into the Puritan school. Hester sees many of her negative characteristics in Pearl, such as defiance and moodiness. He was a hypocrite, and Hester was a fool.
They also loved the beauty of people who lived close to nature and were uncontaminated by the refinements and restrictions of civilization: the noble savage, the illiterate peasant, the free-spirited child. It was hard and it seemed as everyone had secrets, even the leaders and most Godly people of the community. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it. Hester loves her daughter more than anything, but worries that because she had sinned, that the result would not be good. With this being said, Hester never made Pearl conform to the Puritan society. Pearl is crying and the A is glittering, almost like an act of defiance, however Hester tries to cover it with her screaming baby. What Does Pearl Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter 475 Words 2 Pages Throughout the book, Pearl is shown as a symbol of Hester's sin.
Transcendentalism Exposed In Nathaniel Hawthornes Scarlet Letter Essay Essay
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Herman Melville, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow are some noteworthy transcendentalists. She knows a joy that other Puritan children did not. Also, in chapter eighteen, while, Hester and Dimmesdale are speaking in the woods, Pearl is wandering off and doing her own thing. Another example, is when Josephine, Mr. All the events after and before the revolution helped America become free.
The Scarlet Letter, among all these things, also presents the polysemantic view on the Native Americans. Being outcasted gave Pearl an advantage that the other Puritan children did not have; the ability to think for herself and be free-spirited. For the transcendentalists, God cannot be confined to a single name or religion. One of the most apparent of these contradictions in stylistic and philosophical viewpoints can be seen with the emergence of Transcendentalism, then Anti-Transcendentalism, which placed several key writers in the limelight of cultural criticism to varying degrees of success. Hester went through many hard times; however, nothing could compare to the joy she felt when looking at her daughter, Pearl. She goes on to say that because of this interconnectedness between Church and State, any church infraction will also result in governmental punishment.
Examples Of Transcendentalism In Catcher In The Rye 979 Words 4 Pages Holden Caulfield, in the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J. She tosses away the ignominious A and with it the façade in which she hides the identity of her paramour from society, while also rejecting the control and label that the society seeks to impose on her. Hawthorne was raised by an abnormal and solitary mother. For instance, slave owners were quite like Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. Although Hester shows benevolence throughout the novel and came to be respected in society, Lawrence asserts that this whole persona is a lie. Hester Prynne was very aware of these ideas. Transcendentalists did not believe in organized religion nor did they accept the highly restrictive Christianity practiced by the Puritans.
