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Sanjay Shankar

Ms. Jorgensen

English 10 H

04 March 2019

A Formalist Standpoint

Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of the most influential authors of all time, The

Scarlet Letter vividly shows life in 17th century Boston. Throughout the novel, many themes and

aspects of daily life are discussed, and literary elements are woven in beautifully. A formalistic

approach to the Scarlet Letter would lead the reader to look meticulously at the intricacy of the

creation of the novel and its literary elements that add effect. A formalist criticism of this novel

can be analyzed in three different ways: Hawthorne’s elevated diction, his incorporating of

Puritanistic values, and the extensive use of symbolism.

Hawthorne’s ability to use elevated diction lends itself to a formalist critique quite well.

His diction creates an impact on the reader in that it intensifies the plot. For example, at one of

the crescendos of the novel, where Hester vocalizes to Chillingworth that she must publicize her

secret, she says “So far as concerns the overthrow or preservation of his fair fame and his earthly

state, and perchance his life, he is in thy hands. Nor do I,—whom the scarlet letter has

disciplined to truth, though it be the truth of red-hot iron, entering into the soul,—nor do I

perceive such advantage in his living any longer a life of ghastly emptiness, that I shall stoop to

implore thy mercy” (Hathorne 254). This adds fuel to the fire that is the blazing willpower of

Hester Prynne to enunciate what she truly would like to say. Hawthorne’s elevated diction helps

the reader visualize that the guilt brought to Hester from the Scarlet Letter has depreciated her of

a vivacious quality of life. Formalists tend to look towards diction when perceiving how well a
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novel has been written. Hawthorne’s diction shows the deep thought put into this novel, thus

satisfying almost any formalist.

Hawthorne weaves in Puritan beliefs to maintain the reader’s knowledge of when the

story is actually taking place, making the novel a timeless classic. For example, the townspeople

often gossiped about Hester’s adultery, saying remarks such as “What think ye, gossips? If the

hussy stood up for judgment before us five, that are now here in a knot together, would she come

off with such a sentence as the worshipful magistrates have awarded? Marry, I trow not!”

(Hawthorne 86). This shows to readers the societal obligation of Puritan society for women to

remain under the shadow of the strict patriarchal foundation of Puritanism itself. Hawthorne

juxtaposes Puritan values with those who transgress them, even adding in situational irony.

Governor Bellingham, who is practically the cult leader, preaching absolute Puritanism, is an

exemplification of hypocrisy in the time period. Although he preaches Puritanism, he lives in a

pulchritudinous mansion, which is the direct opposite of the simplistic lifestyle that is meant to

be led by the Puritans. Although he transgresses basic Puritan beliefs, even as the leader, his acts

go unnoticed. Hawthorne’s inclusion of Puritanistic life ties the whole novel together. From a

formalist point of view, the juxtaposition and the irony in that a leader’s actions go unnoticed

whereas a common lady’s actions get ridiculed upon develops the plot of the story by showing

the nadir of women’s rights in Puritan society.

Hawthorne’s use of symbolism throughout the novel creates an everlasting impact on the

reader. For example, the most important symbol in the novel: the scarlet letter. The letter shifts

its symbolism throughout the novel. The letter represents adultery towards the beginning of the

novel. But as the novel progresses, and the magic circle around the letter forms in Chapter 21,

the letter begins to represent Hester’s isolation from the rest of society. In addition, the forest,
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where Hester and Dimmesdale have their climactic rendez-vous, serves as a symbol for the

unknowns of their future together. Another important symbol is the scaffold, which serves as a

literal “platform” for escapism, as Dimmesdale is finally able to end his suffering at the scaffold.

Formalists tend to look at literary elements that empower the plot of a novel. A very strong

literary element used throughout the novel by Hawthorne is symbolism, and any formalist would

laud Hawthorne’s use of symbolism.

Formalist critiques tend to look to content in novels that richen the overall experience of

the novel. These can include literary elements such as juxtaposition, irony, and symbolism.

Formalists look towards the articulation of novels to gauge how well the novel is written. From a

formalist standpoint, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter has a plethora of literary

elements paired with elevated diction to immerse the reader into the novel. Hawthorne shines

light on the values of Puritanism to form a cohesion of the plot progression, leading to any

formalist’s respect towards the novel.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,

2015.