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Puritan Background

Puritan Background. The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne. Beliefs. The Bible – especially the O ld Testament – is the derivation of all aspects of Puritan society. The goal was purity of worship and doctrine. The purity is pursued to the smallest detail.

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Puritan Background

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  1. Puritan Background The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

  2. Beliefs • The Bible – especially the Old Testament – is the derivation of all aspects of Puritan society. • The goal was purity of worship and doctrine. • The purity is pursued to the smallest detail. • ALL members must be pious at ALL times.

  3. Positives • Tremendous work ethic which is still referenced today. • Uncanny self-discipline • Constant need for self-examination to improve all aspects of the society. • Strong belief in education and started the first public school.

  4. Sin • Every human is sinful. • God chooses to save a few – self-examination to find signs of grace. • Not much in the way of amusement or diversion. • Did not celebrate traditional holidays • No music – not even in church • No dancing

  5. Crime • Theocratic and patriarchal • Authority and obedience were strict. • Husband ruled wife; parents ruled children; master ruled servant. • The leaders of the community are accountable to God to protect and reward virtue and punish wrongdoers, not sinners as everyone is a sinnner.

  6. Adultery and Guilt • Puritans were motivated by guilt. • They did not want to wait for the afterlife to face God’s judgment – sinners were harshly punished. • Adultery was considered a threat to societal order; however, it was defined in exactly the same way it is today.

  7. The Scarlet Letter • The novel is inextricably linked with the religious teachings of the Puritans. • Published in 1850 • The writing is – in structure and diction- complex. • Hawthorne’s audience were at least as learned as he.

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