In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, each thread is an ironic element of setting, and together, they demonstrate people's tendency to seek shelter from, instead of in, society. ... A Puritan society is highly based upon a person's reputation. ... Hester is publicly seen with the scarlet letter when she first emerges out of the cold dark prison. ... The scarlet letter is what isolates her from everyone else because it symbolizes sin. ... "Come along, Madam Hester, and show your scarlet letter in the market-place!" ...

• Word Count: 1828
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School