Puritanism in The Scarlet Letter

     The harsh and strict society of Puritan America that is the setting of The Scarlet Letter creates the basis for the ultimate plot and problems of the novel. I have been studying the Puritanism period of American Literature for the month of September give or take a week, in English class at Episcopal and all of the knowledge I have gained regarding social, cultural, and religious persona of Puritanism has come in handy when reading The Scarlet Letter. I have been able to recognize and understand points in the story, opinions of various characters, and the overall scandal and reasoning behind the main problem in the novel. 

      Nathaniel Hawthorne lived and wrote his stories in years following the Puritanism, but his birthplace of Salem, Massachusetts gave him the background information and overall curiosity and interest in Puritan ideals and society. Hawthorne presents readers of The Scarlet Letter with a character who embodies "sin" in a model Puritan society, Hester Prynne. Adultery is the scandal that creates the plot of the story and various details and characters develop the novel. This believed horrible act of adultery and the pride and uncaring manner in which Hester seems to react to her scandalous behavior enhances gossip and extremely opinionated Puritans to speak their beliefs and give readers the perspective and information of a true Puritan society. The Puritan town, in their attempt to disassociate themselves with Hester and her sinful behavior, are repressive and overwhelmingly rude and strict, almost contradicting the religion and culture which they were originally trying to protect. Hawthorne gives this almost backwards outlook of Puritan society and culture in order to entertain readers while keeping them informed. The storyline being seen through the eyes of a sinner creates a much more intriguing story that readers want to know more and more about, while still giving information through the surrounding characters and the actions they take.