Beginning of Essay
In seventeenth century New England, it was not exactly beneficial to be referred to as an "individualist." The Puritans of the colonies emphasized a collective existence and identity, preaching uniform obedience as one body, soul, and spirit. They believed in pre ....

Middle of Essay
.... had before known her, and had expected to behold her dimmed and obscured by a disastrous cloud, were astonished, and even startled, to perceive how her beauty shone out, and made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped" (Hawthorne 1185). The environment surrounding Hester is instrumental in making her pay for her sin. Hester can actually feel the burning on her chest as the people stare at the letter A attached. "It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself" (Hawthorne 1185). Immediately we see that Hester is alone because she has set herself fre ....