Individualism in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel HawthorneOften in society, people are criticized, punished, and looked down upon for their individual choices and flaws. In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author uses Hester Prynne to symbolize that those who challenge social conformities can benefit society as a whole. Although she was banished for committing adultery, she sees that the community needs her. Through her generous accomplishments, the community realizes that she is a person who, regardless of her sin, can affect the community in a positive way. The new Puritan society wanted to punish Hester Prynne horribly so that she would set an example of the consequences others would suffer. receive if they have committed a sin. At first, the Puritans rejoiced at Hester Prynne's punishment, believing they had cleansed the city, and therefore left only a "pure" society. They forced Hester Prynne to stand in front of the town for hours while the crowd tried to break her with criticism and humiliating remarks. After her release, "the scene was not without a mixture of respect, such that many always invest the spectacle of the guilt and shame of a neighbor" (63)... They thought that if they treated her horribly , no one would ever do it. even think about breaking the law again. Their fear of sin and wickedness caused them to seek to do what they believed was right. Society had to protect itself from its own judgment. Their fault was in seeing Hester only for the crime she had committed, but not for the woman she was. When the community banished Hester Prynne, they managed to maintain their morals but lost an individual. The community is nothing other than a collection of individuals. Although they did not see this p...... middle of paper...... they refused to interpret the scarlet "A" by its original meaning. They said it meant “Able”: so strong was Hester Prynne, with the strength of a woman” (156). She was “Capable” of facing a city that hated her, then a city that accepted her for her good works. Society was able to move past its hatred of Hester Prynne and see that it actually needed her. And ultimately, she was able to stay where she wanted to be. As time passed, Hester did not collapse and became taller. Despite its exclusion, Puritan society opened our eyes to the fact that good can survive even in the heart of a sinner. Despite everything they tried to do, out of fear of losing their values, individuals still made mistakes and caused differences in the world. community, thus saying that within a community, there will always be individuals to test the limits of society..