The Scarlett Letter - American Romanticism

Nathaniel Hawthorne is an extraordinary American author, who delimitate the standard for American romanticism by opposing the cheerful philosophy of the transcendentalist movement of his time. Hawthornes overbold, The Scarlet letter, is characterized by American Romantic ideals, conveying the strain between individual invigorate and freedom of character versus the stark ideals of baseball club and the pressure of conformity. though Hawthornes novel is dark, his unravel embo decomposes many an(prenominal) of the characteristics of American love affair including imageism, the beauty of nature, individual freedom, and the supernatural. \nFirst, Hawthorne makes character up of a major section of Romanticism in his use of symbolismism and nature. For illustration, as Hester emerges from the prison house, on one side of the portal, is a rosebush. The rosebush is a powerful symbol of survival as it has survived ...long afterwards the fall of the gigantic pines and oaks tha t in the beginning overshadowed it. (Hawthorne. 46). The rosebush is a recurring symbol throughout the novel with many hidden meanings. Here it is a reminder of a kind moral blossom or the darkening close of a tail of human tenuity and sorrow. (Hawthorne. 46). However, the most rife symbol in the novel is the Scarlet letter itself. As the story begins, Hester is taken from the prison with her child and publicly condemned. The chromatic letter symbolizes both Hesters sin and shame that society has placed upon Hester as an adulteress. The townsfolks people believe, Let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will endlessly be in her heart. This adult female has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. (Hawthorne.49). Yet another example of symbolism is the forest, which symbolizes both right-hand(a) and evil, where nature manifests truth and freedom, nonetheless can be dark, guess and evil. Though society associates enter the forest with dealing with the Devil, Hester and Dimmesdale play clarity in nature because they are no l...