In the novel The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne takes a very biased side against the Puritans he writes about. Hawthorne himself was a descendant of Puritan ancestors, and it seems that in many ways he still cannot escape the engulfing guilt of their crimes, as he never truly held their religion; "Hawthorne never felt he belonged to any such community of love and belief." ... However, Hawthorne's presentation of their idealistic settlement is a harsh contrast to this. ... Hawthorne ironically places the rose bush next to the prison to further embody his feelings about Puritanism. ...

• Word Count: 513
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, draws attention to the negative qualities pertaining to the Puritan lifestyles and beliefs of the 17th century. ... Nathaniel Hawthorne was raised in Salem, Massachusetts, and was of Puritan descent. ... In the introduction to the novel, Hawthorne describes a Puritan, theoretical Utopian society. ... However, Hawthorne informs the reader of the first buildings constructed, which were a cemetery and a prison. ... The "city upon a hill," materialism, and hypocrisy are all ideal examples of the negative qualities of Puritan soci...

• Word Count: 548
• Approx Pages: 2

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne is the protagonist who commits this sin. ... Though the narrator is not Nathaniel Hawthorne him-self, his views on Puritans certainly show through the eyes of the narrator. ... Nathiel Hawthorne criticized the way Puritans lived. ... (The Scarlet Letter) The author describes the scarlet letter as elaborate and ornate, even though it's supposed to be punishment. ... But remember Hawthorne views on the Puritans are rubbed off on the narrator. ...

• Word Count: 673
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The character of Hester Prynne changed significantly throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. ... Hawthorne describes Hester as "divine maternity" (49) and she can do no wrong. Not only Hester, but the physical scarlet letter, a Puritanical sign of disownment, is shown through the author's tone and diction as a beautiful, gold and colorful piece. ...

• Word Count: 461
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, uses a twisted physician, a minister, and a very independent character to express the theme of revenge among his three main characters. ... Hawthorne's ultimate theme in The Scarlet Letter is vengeance amongst all of mankind. ... (Hawthorne 50). ... Although the strictly religious community was full of straightedge, godly people, they also contributed to Hawthorne's theme of revenge. ... Instead, Hawthorne has them continually shaming Hester from cover to cover of the novel for her sin. ...

• Word Count: 1480
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, uses a twisted physician, a minister, and a very independent character to express the theme of revenge among his three main characters. ... Hawthorne's ultimate theme in The Scarlet Letter is vengeance amongst all of mankind. ... (Hawthorne 50). ... Although the strictly religious community was full of straightedge, godly people, they also contributed to Hawthorne's theme of revenge. ... Instead, Hawthorne has them continually shaming Hester from cover to cover of the novel for her sin. ...

• Word Count: 1589
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School