Puritanism

Puritanism; a flawed faith The Salem witch trials were some of the most famous events in US history. To this day, people are fascinated by how corrupted this Puritan village became. Severely dedicated, the Puritans followed a strict moral code. However, sin and evil were basic components of their community. Possibly, this proved the Puritan theory that wickedness is not taught, but a fundamental part of human nature. Or it proved Hawthorne's theory that sin …

…Hawthorne represents the State, the Church, and evil, and witchcraft of Puritan society, through the small but vital characters: Governor Bellingham, Reverend Wilson, and Mistress Hibbins. Whether they are non-impartial government officials, unfairly condemning sinners, or representing the hidden sins of Puritanism, the characters depict Puritanism as the flawed religion Hawthorne believed it to be. Just like the Salem witch trials, The Scarlet Letter is an example of the radical injustices of the Puritan faith.