Abstract
This paper explains that Hawthorne was known to have researched his own Puritan ancestry, on which he based "The Scarlet Letter." It discusses how "The Scarlet Letter" takes place in 1642 in Boston. The main character is convicted of adultery and must do public service, which entails being forced to wear a large scarlet letter "A," which stands for "Adulteress." It looks at the way the novel provides an insight into the Puritan concept of law in 1640, which is obviously very different from today's accepted norms.

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Plot
III. Setting
IV. Theme
V. Conclusion
VI. Bibliography

From the Paper
"The Scarlet Letter takes place in 1642 Boston where at that time the community was nothing more than a tiny Puritan settlement. "Hester Prynne enters this small Puritan town in the colony of Massachusetts alone and determined to live her life as she sees fit. She undermines many of the stifling rules that serve as moral guidelines for women. She buys a house on her own, explaining that her husband would arrive shortly. She also begins women's meetings with other ladies of the town." (When Love Becomes Sin) The main character, Hester Prynne, has been convicted of adultery and as the punishment of the time suggests she is to do public service. This public service is nothing like our chain gangs picking up litter on our highways. In fact, a small band of onlookers was awaiting the adulteress to be publicly humiliated as only the puritans could do. Hester appears before the crowd carrying a baby and on her clothes is a badge of disgrace, a large scarlet letter "A" which stands for Adulteress."

Tags:adultress, boston