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It was one of the original english settlements in present-day massachusetts, settled in 1630 by a group of about 1,000 puritan refugees from england under Gov. John Winthrop and Deputy Gov. Thomas Dudley. By the mid-1640's massachusetts bay colony had grown to more than 20,000 inhabitants.

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The puritans established a theocratic government with the franchise limited to church members. The leaders sought to prevent any independence of religious views. Many with different beliefs were banished.

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Life in the Puritan 17th century Massachusetts Bay Colony

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While she is a character, she is also a symbol. She symbolises the price of sin and the possibility of redemption. Hester names her daughter Pearl "as being of great price—purchased with all she had—her mother's only treasure!"

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It symbolizes the sin of adultery. Hester wears it as a punishment. But by embroidering the "A" so finely and ornately, Hester takes control of her own punishment. The letter showcases her talent and artistry, skills that allow her to make a living as a single parent in Puritan Boston.

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Symbolism

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The book seems to point out that she committed this sin and now she has to pay for it by wearing the scarlet letter and people hating her for it.

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Sin seems to be the main theme of the book. They entire book is based on adultery and the consequences of adultery in the little town of salem.

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Themes

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In college, the only thing Hawthorne was good at was composition. He was determined to become a writer. Upon his graduation he had written an amateurish novel, Fanshawe, which he published and then destroyed all the copies saying that it was unworthy of him. It took five years for him to find his own voice and how to put it on paper.

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Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Nathaniel Hawthorne.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 30 June 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Nathaniel-Hawthorne. “Themes in The Scarlet Letter.” Conflict between Faith and Doubt in Galileo, www.bachelorandmaster.com/britishandamericanfiction/themes-in-the-scarlet-letter.html#.W5rIpNJKjrc.
Shmoop Editorial Team. “The Scarlet Letter in The Scarlet Letter.” Shmoop, Shmoop University, 11 Nov. 2008, www.shmoop.com/scarlet-letter/scarlet-letter-symbol.html.
Shmoop Editorial Team. “Pearl, Hester's Daughter in The Scarlet Letter.” Shmoop, Shmoop University, 11 Nov. 2008, www.shmoop.com/scarlet-letter/pearl-hester-daughter-symbol.html.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Massachusetts Bay Colony.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 18 July 2017, www.britannica.com/place/Massachusetts-Bay-Colony.

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He was born july 4th, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. He died May 19th, 1864 in Plymouth, New hampshire. His family has lived in salem since the 17th century, with his earliest ancestor being William Hathorne. He added the 'w' in Hawthorne when he began to write.

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Background

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Written by : Nathaniel Hawthorne