Transcendentalism – “a belief in a higher knowledge than achieved by human reason.” is a philosophical and social movement beginning in the 1830’s, thinkers like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson were the focal points of the movement. Some of their writings such as The Dial, Nature, and Walden are all transcendentalist pieces that were revolutionary at their time of release, and can be related to Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne embodies transcendentalism by her nonconformist
Hester Prynne shows transcendentalism in The Scarlet Letter by performing self-reliance, simplicity, and nonconformity. She lives a very simple life, and dresses in simple colors. While she dresses Pearl very colorful and not so simple. She makes just enough money, so she doesn’t buy things that aren’t needed. She shows self-reliance by taking care of herself and Pearl. She knows how to get by without causing trouble and drama. She shows nonconformity by being herself. She doesn’t let the Puritans
Anti-Transcendentalist perspectives on realism, the inner evil of men, spiritual forgiveness, and the feeling of guilt. His portrayal of anti-transcendentalist concepts and symbolism appear throughout the characters of The Scarlet Letter. One pillar of anti-transcendentalism is realism. Hawthorn creates characters who have realist’s views. They are observant of their surroundings and have an appreciation for fate and destiny. To this end, the characters see what has happened in the past or to others
INTRODUCTION AMERICAN LITERATURE American literature is the literature written or produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies. During its early history America was a series of British colonies on the eastern coast of the present day United States. Therefore it is literary tradition of English literature. However, unique American characteristics and the breadth of its production usually now cause it to be considered a separate path and tradition. The New England colonies