Isolation In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Isolation from society can be physically and emotional as well. Society, which encompasses the people whom one shares a particular “standard of living or conduct” with, plays a prominent role in the Puritan community in which Hester lives (“Society”). The Puritan community, which influences the lives and actions of everyone in the society, has a strict sense of what is right and wrong. Any violation of the moral code can result in physical and emotion isolation, as it did for Hester. The novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne proves human isolation from society creates a sense of hopelessness but also allows for self-realization. Hester Prynne's isolation from society is forced upon her because she committed adultery, an act the society around her perceives as sinful due to their Puritan nature. The community branded Hester with a scarlet letter which is meant to act as a“badge of shame,” setting her apart from the rest of the people in the society (89). The scarlet letter …show more content…
Self-realization, which is defined as “fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one's character or personality”, also encompass a realization of one’s moral beliefs without influences from others ("Self Realization.”). The scarlet letter, which isolates her from society, allows Hester to “wander… into a moral wilderness” (165). The “wilderness” throughout the book and in the Puritan society is seen as unexplored and outside of the communities boundaries (165). Due to the Scarlet letter, which acts as “her passport into regions where other women dared not tread,” Hester is able to uncover her beliefs without “rule or guidance” imposed on her by outside influences (165). Hester becomes “strong” and is able to fulfill her potential and “roam as freely as the wild Indian in his woods,” despite the “Shame, Despair, [and] Solitude” the scarlet letter brings