Transcendentalism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Hester Prynne, the heroine of The Scarlet Letter is forced to wear a red "A" on her chest as punishment for committing adultery. This penance was decided by the all male leaders of her strict Puritan society. They aim to make an example of her by ostracizing her for "sin". As a transcendentalist Hawthorne is highly critical of Puritan society and their values. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter simultaneously rejects the rigidity and patriarchal values of Puritan society, while praising the enlightening power of transcendentalism. Symbolism is Hawthorne's weapon of choice for The Scarlet Letter. Through its use Hawthorne is able to juxtapose his beliefs about Puritanism to his beliefs about transcendentalism. Dark and light imagery

At first glance it seems that her entire life is dictated by patriarchal Puritan values. However, Hester lives in complete contrast to what is expected of her. Rather than accept her punishment Hester makes a mockery of what the male leaders have deemed her "sin". She richly embroiders the "A" with "fantastic flourishes of gold thread"(40, Hawthorne) and wears it without shame, which "serves to nullify the effects of such persecution"(505, DeSalvo). The "A" is so beautiful that Pearl recognizes it, not as scandalous, but as a comforting symbol of her mother. In having Hester reject her punishment, Hawthorne also makes a statement about his rejection of Puritan society as a whole. Despite many attempts to force her to disclose the identity of her partner, Hester never reveals Dimmesdale's name. She shoulders the burden of her public shaming entirely alone even after Dimmesdale exposes himself. When he dies Hester is left to pick up the pieces and she does so with strength and grace. "What Hester achieves through Dimmesdale's death,.. Is unique in that it is a loving... life without a man"(554, Baym). Throughout the entirety of the book Hester and Dimmesdale never truly revisit their past relationship. Instead Hester manages to succeed "as a single mother supporting herself and her child"(553, Baym), with Pearl as the center of her world. Even after Pearl has grown Hester thrives as a "valuable member of the community"(553, Baym). Rather than crumble under the weight of her punishment Hester rises to the occasion and establishes herself as a fixture of the very Puritan society that has made her a pariah. The final, and perhaps most obvious way Hester undermines the patriarchy is through her embroidery work. Hawthorne reveals that Hester is the only person in town who embroiders the special gloves for the important men of the town. This is Hawthorne's clearest rejection of the Puritan patriarchy. Despite the fact that they