P5+LThunell

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An individual in society is free to havce their own morals and beliefs. This being so, the individual is shaped in their personality and beliefs by the people around them. That is to say humanity has a large role in deciding what is wrong and what is right. However, the individual in society is hte only one who can decide where their own morals beliefs and actions lie. in the novel, "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne several different characters explore the cycle of transgression, shame, repentance, and acceptance in different ways all showing signs of the nation's National Identity in terms of individualism.

The transgression that takes place in the novel revolves around the adulterous act commited by both Hester Prynne and Reverand Arthur Dimmesdale. While Prynne and Dimmesdale seemingly do not commit this act out of simple lust it is still seen morally wrong in their eyes. It is certain that this act is wrong on a human, individual, level rather than simply one of hte things one shalt not do. Roger Chillingworth also experiences the beginnings of his transgression around the same time, being Prynne's husband. "He was not ill fitted to be the head and representative of a community, which owed its origin and progress..." (Pg. 59) This quote shows the individual transgression while also showing how the individual can contribute to society being an individual and experiencing humanity.

The shame that each individual had to face was different in characteristic. While all of the characters experienced this shame at the hands of themselves, all of them would have been punished the hands of society, had all of the transgressions been public early on. Hester Prynne was shamed publically in the middle of society for everyone to judge her. Also included in her shame was a day to day symbol, a scarlet letter, while Dimmesdale could have arguably experienced more shame than Prynne he did not experience it publically, which can be thought of as worse because of the guilt and repentance factor. Chillingworth goes through his own moral shame even though he does not stop with his torture or Dimmesdale, being a man of god, it is certain he feels shame and at least knows what he is doing is morally wrong.

Perhaps the most defining moments in this cycle as far as individualism coupled with National Identity are concerned are found in repentance and acceptance. "So much power to do, and power to sympathize, - that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by ts original signification. They said that it meant Able..." (Pg. 150) Hester's individual approach of three characters to publically deal with her sin had earned her acceptance. This shows that while societies punishments and crimes were based on ones own moral beliefs and decisions the individual knew how to deal with the inward guilt as seen with Hester Prynne. One individual who did not deal with the guilt and who ended up more severely tortured was Dimmesdale whose final acceptance was found with god. Dimmesdale being a Reverand and buried next to Hester found forgiveness in his own way, with god. The individual who is religious has a strong sense of morality and humanity. Chillingworth was the last of these three characters to repent and receive acceptance. He sohws this individual change in morality and good deeds after he takes in Pearl (the illegitimate baby) as his own.

While laws should not determine issues of ones own morality and beliefs, the fact is they did heavily in the beginning of the formation of this country. Individualism is not just one set of beliefs pertaining to one person, it is a way for one person to go about their lives with influence of humanity and moral beliefs of others. As seen in the novel, individualism is important because not everyone shares the same beliefs or abilities when taking into consideration a problem or dealing with this problem.