Individual vs. the Society in “The Scarlet Letter” Essay

In The florid Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the theme of the individual versus society is prevalent. One of the nigh intriguing characters in the novel is Hester Prynne, who is ostracized by the society around her. Hawthorne uses symbols to emphasize how Hester chooses to accept her branded punishment as a moral obligation rather than a mark of shame. Her individualism is achieved through a readable conscience and accepting the fact that she is unique, distanced from the prudes surrounding her.Immediately, The Scarlet Letter sets up a clear contrast between Hester and the otherwise ladies in Boston, Massachusetts. Hester emerges from the prison as a gorgeous woman who was,tall, with a figure of ameliorate elegance on a large scale. She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the susnhine with a gleam, and a face which ,beside being bonny from regularity of feature and richness of complexion was ladylike, too, after the manner of the maidenly gentility of th ose days characterized by a certain state and dignity. (Narrator, p. 46-47)Mean tour, the other women in Boston are portrayed as gossiping quacks who guy Hester out of jealousy and spite. Hester is upgrade distanced from the mob throng through her fair garb and her skill of needle-work.While on the scaffold, and later when she moves into a cottage distanced from everyone else, Hester remains defiant. She asserts her quasi rebellious personality by not faltering amid the penetrating stares of the townspeople. In addition, she chooses to stay in Boston rather than wad the opportunity to escape and start a new life. By speed away, Hester would be acknowledging societys power of her. Instead, she desires to establish her own identicalness and not have society determine it for her. If Hester were to succumb to outside pressure, it would further undermine what little integrity the townspeople see in her. However, the barbaric taunts are meaningless to her, because Hester is adama nt in her convictions she has a genuine role in life.Her daughter drib is an important part of Hesters life. much more than a living embodiment of the sin that Hester is reminded of through the red-faced earn, Pearl allows Hester to have a argue to live and a reason to stay. Pearl acts as a reality check, for she daily reminds her mother of her sin. Yet, Pearl is a miracle child, by proving that beauty can spring from sin. She offers Hester a reverberate of herself, and an enduring obligation for which to uphold. In addition, Hester feels an obligation to stay in hot England because she feels morally bound to stay with Pearls father.The scarlet letter in a sense defines who Hester is. Lavishly decorated in fine red cloth surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of deluxe thread, (Narrator, p. 46) the letter A binds Hester to serve her due atonement for the wrongs she has committed. However, her brilliant skills at needle-work and uniqueness of indivi duality are frowned upon by the society. Out of malice and jealousy, they verbally abuse both her and Pearl, degrading them to worthless figures while they themselves are hypocrites in their own right. Ironic takes its finest form when the skillful works of Hester are grace by those highest officials that are punishing her.Despite the ridicule, Hester stands tall. She knows the expectations that are placed on her, and that the shame incurred by her will extend for possibly generations to come. Hester is not automatic to mold herself to the eager hands of others so that they may satiate their deplorable desire to see her torture in her mental prison. She strives for compassion and social welfare amid all the harsh words. This is evidenced in her treatment of Pearl, who is exalted far beyond the other children. She is dressed in the most extravagant attire, while being taught heavenly virtues. Motherly love defies all pressures, and Hesters needed love for Pearl is the quintessen ce of this.In the strict morals of Puritan society that are delineated in The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne undergoes many tribulations. Her error helps provoke the angry sentiments of the townspeople, who are determined to see her suffer to the fullest extent. However, Hesters attitude is one of moral obligation and compassionate defiance. She retorts with nothing only when love, as beautifully demonstrated in her treatment of Pearl. Hester is unique, and so is her unbendable attitude regardless of what the rest of society thinks of her. She answers to a higher do and never relents her conscience to the greedy hands of others.