Hollingsworth reflects the thoughts of Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Man the Reformer” heavily reflected the views of the members of the Blithedale commune, especially Hollingsworth. Emerson’s essay espoused the philosophies of the Transcendentalist movement, which sought to reform society and highlight the importance of the individual as opposed to the organization. Emerson’s essay specifically targeted the lack of independent farming and self-subsistence during the middle 18th century. This lack of self-reliance, in Emerson’s view, would weaken his generation of men. His disdain for man’s growing inability to plant one’s own crops through the use of one’s own hands and tools was made evident during the middle part of the essay.
This philosophy was reflected in the goals of the characters in the Blithedale Romance, but Hollingsworth was the clear Transcendentalist. Some characters, like Coverdale or Silas, seemed to lack a deeper commitment towards the uplifting of the individual. Others, such as Zenobia or Priscilla, seemed to have shallower convictions for the commune. Hollingsworth not only worked hard for the commune, but also dreamed of reforming criminals at Blithedale, which reflect the idealistic goals of Transcendentalism.