The Scarlet Letter- The Puritan society

In Puritan society, the people believed in the majesty, righteousness and sovereignty of God. Puritans were very strict when it came to religion. They would criticize and punish those who disobeyed their religion or law, the two of which were very much tied together. Hester is one of the many victims of Puritanism. She fell in love with Dimmesdale, even though she was already bound to another man. In Puritan society, the belief was that women must stay loyal to their husbands no matter what. The way society punishes Hester is by making her wear a scarlet letter at all times, and by displaying her on the scaffold in front of her entire town. These forms of punishment, while meant to chastise Hester, are also meant to warn the townspeople not to commit the same crime. The trouble in Hester’s heart is greatly contributed to by the shame and the emotional pain that come with having to wear the symbol of her crime every day, never being freed from the humiliation or memories. Never being allowed to move forward or gain back her reputation. In Puritan society, people were overly concerned with the lives of others. The actions of individuals were put in the spotlight for the public to judge. Hester’s got the punishment of being isolated from the people around her.