The Scarlett Letter - American Romanticism

Nathaniel Hawthorne is an extraordinary American author, who set the standard for American Romanticism by debate the upbeat philosophy of the transcendentalist forepart of his time. Hawthornes overbold, The Scarlet Letter, is characterized by American Romantic ideals, conveying the contrast between single(a) spirit and freedom of personality versus the strict ideals of inn and the crush of conformity. Though Hawthornes original is dark, his work embodies many of the characteristics of American Romanticism including symbolism, the beauty of nature, respective(prenominal) freedom, and the supernatural. \nFirst, Hawthorne makes use of a major element of Romanticism in his use of symbolism and nature. For example, as Hester emerges from the prison, on one cheek of the portal, is a rosebush. The rosebush is a mightily symbol of survival as it has survived ...long after the fall of the enormous pines and oaks that originally overshadowed it. (Hawthorne. 46). The rosebush is a go on symbol throughout the novel with many hidden meanings. here it is a reminder of a sweet moral hot flash or the darkening closing of a tail of gentlemans gentleman frailty and sorrow. (Hawthorne. 46). However, the around prevalent symbol in the novel is the Scarlet garner itself. As the story begins, Hester is taken from the prison with her child and in public condemned. The scarlet letter symbolizes some(prenominal) Hesters sin and humble that society has placed upon Hester as an adulteress. The towns slew believe, Let her cover the starting line as she forget, the pang of it will always be in her heart. This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. (Hawthorne.49). Yet other example of symbolism is the forest, which symbolizes twain good and evil, where nature manifests the true and freedom, yet can be dark, foreboding and evil. Though society associates entering the forest with traffic with the Devil, Hester and Dimmesdale find clarity in natu re because they are no l...