"The scarlet letter is a study of the effects of sin on the hearts and minds of Hester, Dimmesdale and Chillingworth."

Mark Van Doren

Examine "The Scarlet letter" in light of this statement.

In your assignment you should consider:

 The historical, political and cultural significance of Puritanism in America

 Hawthorne's links with the puritans

 Methods through which Hawthorne presents the theme of sin and its effects of the main characters in The Scarlet Letter

 The views of other readers and critics of The Scarlet Letter

"Because of sin this earth is corrupted, deteriorating, painful and evil."

Genesis 3:14/19

What is sin?

Sin is a word we associate with a misdemeanour or a transgression, a wrong doing especially from the view of religion and with respect to the scarlet letter the puritan religion.

Consequently how we as a nation differ between what is a sin and what is not really...