Free Scarlet Letter Essays: Puritanistic Elements -- Scarlet Letter es

Puritanistic Elements in The Scarlet Letter Puritanism was the piety practiced by the people of colonial Boston, the setting for Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. It is because of the beliefs of the Puritan religion that Hester Prynne, the main character in The Scarlet Letter, is ostracized from the community. Puritan ideals are very much brought up in the book. Although Hawthorne never outrightly states his position on Puritanism, it seems clear that he does approve of the religion. The story begins with Hester in jail for adultery. She is presented as a hearty womanshe holds her head high and does not try to cover up the letter. She stands up to her penalization, and neither the spectators nor her seem to suggest that she is being treated unfairly. It seems unconnected that everyone would agree upon Hesters sentence, since everybody rarely agrees on anything. Because Hawthorne never speaks directly to the contributor about his own opinions, it must be inferred from the charact ers what he thinks. Thus, since Hesters punishment is condoned by everyone, it must be assumed t...