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Hester Prynne's Punishment In The 18th Century

1884 Words8 Pages

The Scarlet Letter is focalized on the consequences of adultery for a female in Puritan society. A young woman, Hester Prynne, is punished for adultery that resulted in her daughter Pearl. Hawthorne describes the emotional impact of the punishment and how the Puritan society treats Hester afterwards. Hester Prynne is forced to stand on a scaffold in public and wear the letter “A” on her chest as a reminder of her sin. As seen in her punishment, the Puritan justice system is vastly unique from today’s modern justice system. Hawthorne’s depiction of Hester Prynne’s punishment for adultery was accurately portrayed for the colonial time period and the trials of the justice system. As a result of the corruption of the Church of England, a new religious movement sought to reform the church. Puritanism sought to “purify” the Church of England in the late sixteenth century. Their unique approach of worshipping with engaged speakers and knowledge filled sermons attracted many believers. The initial largest location that Puritans migrated to in the United States was Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. Puritans set up churches with the beginning goal in mind and grew their church to ten thousand people. Subsequently, rapid migration began to various parts of America. The immigrants were educated and devoted believers who began churches all …show more content…

As Hester develops as a character, the impact of the humiliation she experiences as a punishment is astonishing in comparison today’s judicial system. As compared to the Puritan trials of this time, Hester’s punishment was the less severe of many yet illustrated branding, the scaffold, and isolation she experienced. The Puritan society and judicial system are depicted excellently by Hester, a strong woman who used her life degrading experience and willingly made the best of

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