s led to today’s American achievement oriented society. But Hawthorne described the Puritan society of the 17th century as narrow and relentless. He did not share the dogmas and delusions of the people be condemned because he had little interest and less belief in doctrines and theological debate. His imagination was repeatedly drawn the subjects of temptation, guilt and shame. He sought the depth of the human things.
Of course Hawthorne’s point of view is that of the 19th century, not that of 17th century, where his short stories are settled. He is aware of his roots and history, but he questions these roots and history from his modern point of view.
Ⅲ.Conclusion
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne explores several aspects in the Puritan community of 17th century Boston.Such as the relationship, religion, community, discipline and punishment and so on.Relationship between men and women are very constrained and that are what made adultery such a bad sin in the eyes of everyone in the community. Religion seemes to govern over all. Reverends own high status in the Puritan society and people completely believe that their fate are relevent with God. Public discipline and punishment are used to discourage everyone else from committing the same crime or sin as the offending criminal did. The communities always follow the belief of God and try best to do their duties. And are always here to criticize and punish all who disobeyed the religion or laws.
In 17th century Boston every thing was very strict and everyone was expected to follow the laws, which makes Hester's sin such an excellent illustration of the belief of that time period. Through the things like relationship, religion, community, discipline and punishment,the reader can get a better understanding of what was expected of town’s people in the 17th century. The Scarlet Letter shows the pain and suffering a woman went through when she broke her marriage, and disobeyed her religion. The fate driven religious society in 17th century Boston would not accept sin of any kind so they branded Hester Prynne with the letter A for the rest of her life and made her stand in front of the whole community as an illustration for everyone that sin and corruption was not accepted in their Puritan society.After the 17th century, the Puritans as a political entity largely disappeared, but Puritan attitudes and ethics continued to exert an influence on American society. They made a virtue of qualities that made for economic success---self-reliance, frugality, industry, and energy, and through them influenced modern social and economic life. Their concern for education was important in the development of the United States, and the idea of congregational democratic church government was carried into the political life of the state as a source of modern democracy. Through The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorn highly praises the beauty of human nature and comprehends the Puritan thought and values which deeply influence the Americans.He also “condemns the negative impact of Puritan society on people’s spirit.”[11](P41) And at the same time helps people
to realize the dark side of Puritan: harshness and persecutions.
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