False Individualism In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

In The Scarlet Letter, a novel by author Nathaniel Hawthorne, rugged individualism is a reoccurring theme with certain characters throughout the text. Rugged individualism expresses the idea of someone doing what is believed to be right for themselves despite the consequences that may be placed on the person or the people around this person. In The Scarlet Letter, there are multiple events in which rugged individualism takes place, but the two characters that show the most rugged individualism throughout the novel are the main character Hester Prynne, and Roger Chillingworth.

Hester Prynne shows rugged individualism early on by breaking Puritan laws by having relations with a man who was not her husband. This was detrimental to her normal
life for multiple reasons, the biggest reasons were being branded with the scarlet letter, and becoming pregnant and giving birth to an illegitimate child. Though, giving birth to a child can also be considered a benefit in almost any situation. “In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another,” (Hawthorne 61) This quote illustrates how Hester Prynne’s normal life was completely changed by her rugged individualism.

The second character who is most affected by rugged individualism would be Roger Chillingworth.