Historical Context of The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter paints a very unflattering portrait of the Puritans, a religious group that
dominated late seventeenth-century English settlement in Massachusetts. Puritanism began in
England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603). The name "Puritanism" came from the
group's intent to purify the Church of England by making government and religious practice
conform more closely to the word of God. The Puritans were often persecuted in England, and a
group of them sailed to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620 in search of a place to practice
their religion without interference. Though today Puritans are often thought of as the foundation
of American society, Hawthorne criticizes the Puritans' harsh religion and society.

Characteristics of Romanticism.

The line between emotions and rationality was vast in the early Romanticism and one of the
biggest characteristics. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book The Scarlet Letter he uses emotion rather
than rationality in his character’s actions to make the book appeal more to the imagination of the
readers. Individualism and relations to nature were main characteristics in the Romantic period
and main characteristics in Hawthorne’s book.

One of the easiest characteristics to recognize in The Scarlet Letter is individualism. Hester Prynne
had an affair with Arthur Dimmesdale after her husband never made it to the new world, or so she
thought. At that time, she was still married to her husband while having this affair which was a
major sin among the religious beliefs. Hester made an individual choice instead of conforming to
society which led her to years of people judging and shunning her from the community and
themselves. Hester Prynne lives outside of the community, which goes against the social norm,
she didn’t conform to everyone else, revealing her as a symbol of individualism. Living outside of
the community gives this imagery of Hester and Pearl Prynne away from the world and people,
away where they can do as they please and not follow the rules of the Puritans beliefs. This whole
story is based around individualism, going against social norms and the Puritan beliefs. Starting
with Hester and Dimmesdale affair, staying in the community she sinned in, and trying to leave
with Dimmesdale toward the end.

Remembering that Hester is still married to Chillingworth, and leaving with another man is
something that people of this time would not do. Staying in the same community that she
committed adultery in and taking her punishment also would not be something that was common.
Going on and living her life instead of hiding away all the time showed her confidence even though
society was bringing her down. Lastly, Dimmesdale being an