Transcendentalism and Anti- Transcendentalism in ‘The Scarlet letter' novel

'The Scarlet letter’ novel is written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. He was American famous writer.

Transcendentalism and Anti- Transcendentalism elements in the “The Scarlet letter’ novel.

Concept of Transcendentalism:-

Emerson stands as manifesto of this philosophical movement, in which he explicitly identify Transcendentalism as a form of philosophical Idealism.

                         According to dictionary means Transcendental describes anything that has to do with the spiritual, non-physical world. You could describe the time you spend in the woods hiking as a physical and a transcendental experience. According to my understanding Transcendentalism means natural thing, novelist described natural thing in the various ways. Like surrouning nature tree, river, sky and as good human nature also included in Transcendentalism and spiritual experience.

Transcendentalism characteristics-

• Everything is reflection of the divine soul.
• Nature is good even, man is good
• Idealists /Individualistic
• Intuition
• Man and nature in partnership

In the novel Dimmesdale is priest of church and most of people have beliefs priest means divine soul. Author describes nature in the difference way and man it means Dimmesdale show priest so society have perception like Dimmesdale is priest and as man he is good person. Idealists best example of society in the novel society described as ideal like puritan society and set different kind of rule like if anybody committed adultery then punished society. Hester committed adultery so society give punishment  forceful wearing 'A' scarlet letter. Novel most of scene is in church Dimmesdale speech like he know everything and reading books as like he has intuition.


Anti- Transcendentalism opposite movement of Transcendentalism. During 19th century (1840-1860) Anti- Transcendentalism movement focus dark side of the nature. It means dark side of humanity and evilness, guilt and sin.  In the “The Scarlet letter’ novel infect of the both movement.

Anti-Transcendentalism characteristics –
• Realistic
• Nature is indifferent and man is evil
• Man's dark side
• Experience
• Spirituality based on Puritanism/ Calvinism
• Suspicious
Through the novel author may be shown real image of society. And Roger Chillingworth character is example of indifferent human nature. Because Chillingworth motif to take revenge with wife and her lover for this reason he killed one innocent person so his character portrait as evil. While Dimmesdale show as priest and give moral speech to society but actually he is not follow his own speech because he has hidden relationship with Hester. When Hester became pregnant at that time Dimmesdale not ready for serving her responsibilities. So it is  dark side of man  which is shown by author. Spirituality of society based on puritan morality therefore people follow puritan rules and regulations it is like only blind beliefs.