In
author Nathaniel
Hawthorne shows elements of hypocrisy in the Puritan society within the small New
England town wherelived. This Puritan society viewed Hester with scorn and disdain. In their
minds, she had committed an unpardonable sin and then added to it by not revealing the name of
her fellow sinner. Specifically, with no husband in view, she bears a child. Thus, Hester is
branded as an adulteress and makes matters worse by refusing to name the childs
father.
Puritans held strict views about sexual relations and Hester had
violated them. Hawthorne describes her judges as rigid. However, they might not have been as
cruel to her, had she not been as beautiful as she was. There seems to be an element of jealousy
at play, at least where the Puritan women are concerned. Hawthorne describes them in
unflattering terms, as having broad shoulders and well-developed busts, and €¦ round and ruddy
cheeks. By comparison, Hester is described as...
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