Conformity In The Scarlet Letter

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Conformity is the behavior in which people act out according to what is socially accepted. When an individual feels pressure to conform to social norms,they alter their attitudes and actions to avoid judgement from their peers. and although “words don't hurt”,Listening to what others say, and for the most part what other’s think matters is a natural instinct in human beings. This is especially when opinions come from peers, causing a person to change what they think about themselves. Not being equal or alike others and standing out can can create chaos for a society where everyone must abide by specific guidelines. Not following or fitting these norms may lead to prejudice, loneliness, and isolation. It can cause people to act more bold or …show more content…
In the book, a woman named Hester prynne, starts a new life after her his husband, Roger Chillingworth allegedly dies. The problem with this is that she ends up falling in love with the priest of their community, Arthur Dimmesdale and has his child. Later, the story gets hectic when Chillingworth shows up alive. First and foremost, Hester had no idea her husband was alive and she wasn't going to wait until forever to be happy again, because she only vowed “until death due us part”. However, now that her husband appears alive, and this woman is impregnated, of course her town is going to think she has committed adultery. Committing this crime, Hester has broken strict moral rules that puritan society holds, and makes her townspeople feel threatened by refusing conformity. She suffers the consequences of being shunned and punished. On the other hand, Dimmsdale denies his daughter out of greed to keep his name pure. He along with the rest of his townspeople torment Hester and her daughter, Pearl because he didn't want anyone in this society to see him differently or judge him for his mistake This is where the pressure to conform causes him to stand up for his own family and rather turn his back on them to save himself the embarrassment and
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