Abstract
This paper discusses Hawthorne's purpose in "The Scarlet Letter" as an instance of doctrinaire moral and legal thinking that he saw as returning in mid-19th century America. The paper describes the context of 17th century New England, what Puritanism was really like, the myth of early New England as part of American popular history and culture, current ideas on what is moral, fundamentalist religious forms and punitive ideas on crime, criminals, terrorism and the problems of the society. The paper includes several references addressing Puritan society and values in early New England.

From the Paper
"Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of 1850, "The Scarlet Letter", provides interesting questions of timeless importance to do with the contrast between conventional religious ethics and the challenges of human nature and specific situations that should indicate the need for perhaps complex ethical decision-making. "The Scarlet Letter" may be very timely, today, as people about the world turn to revivalist and fundamentalist sects of rigid rules and regulations that remove questioning and contemplation from..."

Tags:n hawthorne, the scarlet letter, context

Abstract
The paper discusses the main characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter".

From the Paper
"The character of Arthur Dimmesdale, the adulteress minister in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" is one whose public personae and private life are contradictory. Although he is the father of Hester Prynne's illegitimate child, he never acknowledges this in public. Indeed, when the governor is determined to declare Hester unfit and remove her daughter Pearl from her care, it is Pearl's father who successfully changes the governor's mind. He does not acknowledge his own adultery and allows Hester to suffer..."

Tags:Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, characters

Abstract
This paper examines Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" from the critical feminist perspective, the critical psychological perspective, and the critical historical perspective, explaining how from each of these perspectives, the author is highlighting a double standard that manifests in a variety of ways.

From the Paper
"Nathaniel Hawthorne's gothic novel "The Scarlet Letter" has much to say on many levels. Much more than just a story of adultery, it is a complex work that can be viewed from multiple perspectives. This paper will examine "The Scarlet Letter" from three perspectives; the feminist critical perspective, the psychological critical perspective and the historical critical perspective, using these three approaches to support the thesis that Hawthorne's real subject in the story was not adultery per se, but the double standard associated with it..."

Tags:Hawthorne, Puritan, witch, Salem, The Scarlet Letter, adultery, sin, double standard, religion, marriage, psychological, historical, feminist

Abstract
This paper examines the long-range effects of their sin on Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne after committing adultery in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter". The paper analyzes both characters as marked people.

From the Paper
"In "The Scarlet Letter" the long-range effects of adultery on Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne are remarkably similar even though Arthur keeps his sin hidden and Hester's has been revealed to the world. While Hester must wear the scarlet A for adultery, the scarlet token of infamy on her breast. Dimmesdale often covers his own breast with his hand as if wearing the A himself with all its mysterious horror, it is but the shadow of what he bears..."

Tags:Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale, Hester Prynne, adultery, effects

Abstract
This paper looks at Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." The author looks at the transformations that the characters undergo which affects the outcome of their lives. The transformation is a direct result of sin, guilt, and hatred and their influence on the human spirit. Sin and guilt can greatly affect the human heart and are often a catalyst for change within a human being.

From the Paper
"The sin of Hester and Dimmesdale has the greatest effect on Roger Chillingworth. Originally, Chillingworth was a decent and much better as a person. He is angered by the actions of his wife and wants revenge more than anything else. "Not thy soul, he answered, with another smile. No, not thine" (74). Chillingworth plans from the start to ruin the soul of the Reverend. He lets his anger turn itself into evil and that evil embeds itself in his heart. Chillingworth begins to explore the soul of Dimmesdale in an attempt to draw out a confession. "He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart like a miner searching for gold; or, rather like a sexton delving into a grave, possibly in quest of a jewel that had been buried on the dead man's bosom" (125). Chillingworth has let his evil feelings take over his mind and actions. He wants nothing more than to torment the priest. He turns into a "chilling" person as his name implies and comes to symbolize the devil himself. Eventually, his hatred takes its toll on Chillingworth himself. "All his strength and energy" all his vital and intellectual force "seemed at once to desert him; insomuch that he positively withered up" (254). "

Tags:letter, scarlet

Abstract
The paper presents a close reading of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" that focuses on its Enlightenment.

From the Paper
"Over time, critics have approached the reading of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" in a number of often discrete ways. Bertha Faust, an early critic of Hawthorne's who assembled commentary emanating from the time when Hawthorne published his works, contends that underpinning "The Scarlet Letter" is his condemnation of Puritanism and its repressive relentless morality which sat in direct opposition to the principles of the Enlightenment. This is a view of the novel that is also affirmed by..."

Tags:Nathanial Hawthorne, The Scarlett Letter, Puritans, Enlightenment, blood, adultery

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

Abstract
This paper examines how Hawthorne intertwines the values of Puritan communities and human nature with such efficiency that "The Scarlet Letter" has become an American classic criticizing our Puritan ancestors. It contends that the setting of Hawthorne's classic is important because it sets the foundation for how the Puritan people react to the main character's sin and that Hawthorne uses the setting as a way to give the reader a sense of severity in the community of "The Scarlet Letter".

From the Paper
"It is clear that Hawthorne disapproved of the Puritan's lifestyles. "The founders of a new colony, whatever Utopia of human virtue and happiness they might originally project..." (Hawthorne 47). This statement alone sets the book up for a grim and dismal mood. Hawthorne also adds s sense of irony by having the people who want to purify the church immediately build a prison. This goes to show that the Puritans were not actually too pure. The prison becomes a large part of the plot symbolizing sin and consequence. The rosebush in front of the prison runs parallel to The Scarlet Letter in resembling hope in a bleak place. Another mentioning in the beginning of the book is the cemetery. This introduction to a book undoubtedly shows the reader that the book will not be a happy one. "

Tags:Hester, Prynne, puritans

Abstract
Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," concerning Hester Prynne's rejection by a New England town due to adultery, is clearly a call to readers to alter their Puritan attitudes, and become freer with their thoughts and ideals. This paper discusses the themes of sin, criminal rebellion, evils of isolation and the symbolic meaning of the scarlet letter itself. It shows how Hawthorne's story clearly speaks out against the rigid mores of Puritan times, plainly illustrating why people felt they had to rebel in order to live their own lives. He also calls into question the values of a society that so rigidly adheres to its principles, at the expense of its humanity.

From the Paper
"The saddest part of Hester and Pearl's lives is their isolation caused by their total rejection by the community. Pearl grows up alone, missing the warmth of childhood friends and acquaintances. In effect, Pearl is being punished for her mother's sin, which doubles the evil of the isolation she feels, for she did nothing wrong, but must pay for it according to Puritan principles. Hawthorne is showing how ridiculous this is, and how the punishment is as morally and ethically wrong as the sin."

Tags:Puritan, novel, adultry

Abstract
This paper discusses Nathaniel Hawthorne's, "The Scarlet Letter". The paper claims that, although there are multiple themes and recurring ideas throughout the novel, Hawthorne most exquisitely presents the theme of development through anguish, with such elements as character development, symbolism and conflict. The paper focuses on the character of Hester Prynne and her development with the scarlet letter.

From the Paper
"Hester Prynne is a superb illustration of the way one progresses through misery and the alteration they endure through suffering. When Hester is first introduced in the novel, Hawthorne first describes her, after her bout in prison, emerging "as if by her own free will." This act displays Hester's superiority to the situation at hand, and defies the idea that she would emerge weak, and defeated by the judgment of the people in the town. However, as the novel progresses, Hester does begin to physically embody the typical Puritan woman. After a few years have passed, her character is described as "withered up," which left a "barren harsh outline." This indicates the metamorphosis she has undergone from being superior to her sin, to becoming overshadowed by the supremacy of its ignominy. This change also occurs with Hester's new focus in life, pertaining more so "thought", than "passion and feeling." The most vital shift in Hester's character occurs after Dimmesdale's death, which Hawthorne exhibits as not "for her own profit and enjoyment," and leads to her sought-after wisdom."

Tags:hester, prynne, dimmesdale