A Forest of Secrets

Name: Paulina Smolinski

WordPress user name: paulinasmolinski

Blog Title: Scarlet Reader

This post focuses on Chapters 17-20

One of the main focuses of Transcendentalist writing was to emphasize the power of nature. Hawthorne wrote his novel during this time period fascinated by the powers of nature so it is only fitting that some major scenes of the novel be played out in the secrecy of the forest.

For Transcendentalists, the calm ways of nature in represented the mind of God. Nature was a way in which the soul could connect with God. They found nature to be inspiring, powerful, and filled with some elements of almost a “dangerous beauty” (Moore). Both Transcendentalist writers Emerson and Thoreau believed that emotional and spiritual rebirth was an important tool of Nature that allowed one to enter a cleaner and more pure state due to the tranquil atmosphere (Moore).

All the major revelations and secrets that Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth hold within themselves are exposed in the raw atmosphere of the forest. The masquerade that they participate in when stuck in civilization is no longer necessary as each individual can go back to the basic elements of what they know is true. Hester can address Chillingworth about the torture he is causing Dimmesdale. In addition, Dimmesdale can find out the truth about the man who he saw as his friend; and Hester can get the truth as well as scarlet letter off her chest. Hawthorne even addresses how difficult it is for both Hester and Dimmesdale to see “how dreary looked the forest track that lead back to the settlement, where Hester Prynne must once again take up the burden of her ignominy and the minister the hollow mockery of his good name” (Hawthorne 177). This return back to truth is fittingly fulfilled in the location where all is retrogressed to a natural state. The transcendental idea that nature allows for peace is used in these chapters by allowing for the characters to find peace as well as answers within the forest.

In addition, the description of the forest shows the striking difference between the wildness of nature and the rigidity of society. In the forest, emotions can run free, and dreams can be expressed, such as when Hester comes up with the plan to escape to Europe. Even Dimmesdale releases what was bottled up inside as he cries into the scarlet letter. On the other hand, the world of the Puritan town lives under constant law and order. The town’s judgments and criticism follow a black and white code of ethics. The forest seems to offer the gray area as the reader is lead to sympathize with the “criminals” who broke the town’s law. The author points out that Hester has been living in a figurative forest of morals as “she had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate and shadowy, as the untamed forest” (Hawthorne 182).

Thinking back to the musical Into the Woods, which occurred last year at our school, there are elements in the way that the woods is presented similar that of The Scarlet Letter. For instance,  in the musical there is a certain aura that surrounds the wood as “anything can happen in the woods.” All the characters seem to express their wildest dreams in the comfort of the trees. In the same way, Hawthorne uses the woods to allow Hester to express her dreams and truths.

Work Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.

Moore, Ellen. “Ideas–Philosophy of Nature.” Ideas–Philosophy of Nature. N.p., n.d. Web. 06      Apr. 2015.