The Influence of Puritanism on the Sin and Punishment in The Scarlet Letter

Abstract

“The Scarlet Letter”, written by 19th century American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, tells the story of the triangle love affairs of heroine Hester Prynne, her husband Roger Chillingworth, and her lover Arthur Dimmesdale.” This paper attempts to interpret The Scarlet Letter from the aspects of sin and punishment. It discusses how Hawthorne arranges the fate of each character and the influence of Puritanism on people's thoughts and life. Under the influence of Puritanism, the three characters pay a heavy price for their sins and receive emotional and moral punishment, and finally each has a different way to get salvation of the soul.

Keywords: “The Scarlet Letter”,; Puritanism; Sin and Punishment; Salvation