Individual Vs. Community In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Individual versus Community is the central theme of Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. The story is set in a Puritan community in Boston. Where townspeople gather near their local jail where they are waiting and discussing the prisoner Hester who was convicted of adultery and will be penalized by public humiliation. Sinning in a puritan community is shamed, once the community sees someone who has committed adultery they are furious. Hester now must wear the scarlet letter “A” on her chest for everyone to see and be their scapegoat. Hester was in the wrong for the sin she has committed and was used as a scapegoat for the puritan community for the sins they have also done. The Puritans were in the wrong for belittling Hester but do not know any

Questioning who is this person standing upon us? “She hath raised a great scandal, I promise you, in godly Master Dimmesdale’s church” (Hawthorne 57). This is said by a townsman responding to later as we know as Chillingworth, who is the husband of Hester. The townspeople are responsive to others when Hester is on the front page. Making sure everyone knew how horrible of a person she is and will become. Individual vs community is still a strong theme in this book as people are spreading the news of Hester. Later as Hester is in jail, Chillingworth told her to swear to not tell anyone that they are married. Another example of Hester being used as the scapegoat for others so they won’t have to be involved and obtain a bad reputation because of her. The townspeople are brainwashed towards Dimmesdale, calling him a master, and Hester is the only one in the wrong, which we learn later that's not the whole

Reluctantly Reverend John Wilson comes on the scaffold and demands Dimmesdale (the father) to ask Hester to reveal who her lover is. “She will not speak!” (Hawthorne 64) Dimmesdale made sure everyone knew how she felt, knowing if the community finds out he is the father he would no longer be respected the way he is through his ministry. Hester is still under the spotlight being forced to answer any questions this community has for her, but she stands up for herself and her child and refuses. Hester is a very strong woman and never lets anyone step over her including Wilson and even the Governor, As he was trying to attempt to take away Pearl for they see Hester as an unworthy mother because of her actions. Another example of the scapegoat being used as the easy way out for others for they have also done some justice under