Written in 1849 and published in 1850, the novel The Scarlet Letter by the American Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864), delves into the concept of sin, the awareness of guilt, and the effects that religious fanaticism can have on human communities and individuals. The intention is to reflect on these aspects starting from the character of the main protagonists of the work, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale and Pearl. The main theme of this novel is guilt since the Puritans followed every rule dictated by religion because they believed that by not behaving correctly people would go to hell. “Let him cover the mark as he will, the pain if it will always be in his heart” (Hawthorne, 46). This quote shows how, despite the fact that Hester had to carry that mark of embarrassment on her chest, it was not necessary for her to feel the guilt of that sin and the fear of going against her religion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned'? Get an original essay The historical context and the religious-spiritual climate in which the story takes place have a more than notable importance in the development of the facts and the evolution of the characters, whose lives take place in very specific, perfectly known historical circumstances by the author of the novel. First of all, the geographical place in which the events took place: in Boston, in the colony of Massachusetts, between 1642 and 1649. That is, in the territory of New England. This story tells us about a young woman named Hester, who arrived in the new lands of America, where she met her "true" love, but the prejudices of the people and the church did not allow her to live with it. One day she was given the sad news that her husband had died and to console herself she decided to go and make love with the reverend, and as a result they had a daughter who was considered a bastard. Hester was judged and almost abused, but was released having to pay a price in return: carrying the letter "A" meaning adultery with her for the rest of her life. Every day the reverend couldn't bear to see her in that condition. Eventually a war breaks out between the Indians and the settlers and he gives in and demands an end to this guilt. What stands out in this novel is the pity felt for the little girl, as Pearl was so young and could not have a normal childhood. . Although later she no longer becomes an angelic child, but a martyr elf, with a changeable character and a much broader vision of things than one might expect from a child of her age. For example, when Pearl says to her father, "Wouldn't you promise to take my hand, and my mother's, tomorrow at noon!" (Hawthorne, 143), and when her father refuses Pearl laughs and insults him. And at that time he was only 2 years old and was also rare and out of Puritan ideals. Not only is he like this with others, but even with his mother Pearl he behaves strangely, as if he enjoys martyring her by talking about herself as a fruit of sin and may well have been conceived by a demon. Sometimes it's a bit of a nuisance, but it could be the mother's imagination, or simply the effect of growing up in isolation. Hester Prynne, even today, stands out as an icon of sacred femininity; precisely because her lover - the Reverend Dimmesdale - the one who defended her body and her honor, never presents himself as a hero; not even as a man who intends to save her from humiliation, but who is reduced to the category of the rodent, the coward and the calculating, moving in the shadows until finally the sense of guilt leads him to take his own life. Readers might think that this woman's silence redeems her from any indiscretion she may have committed, and that this sinister, 1988.