In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne paints the image of a Puritan Boston which is
at best spiritually zealous, and at worse, legalistic. Legalism, in its religious sense, is defined as “the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws...the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works” (“Legalism.”). In the novel, Hawthorne neither idealizes nor demonizes the Puritans as a whole, although he does attack specific instances of legalism and self-righteousness. Throughout his story The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne critiques legalism in order to advocate the full Christian Gospel of law and grace...
When Hester is punished on the scaffold at the start of the novel, legalism is evident in the harsh responses of the townspeople.
at best spiritually zealous, and at worse, legalistic. Legalism, in its religious sense, is defined as “the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws...the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works” (“Legalism.”). In the novel, Hawthorne neither idealizes nor demonizes the Puritans as a whole, although he does attack specific instances of legalism and self-righteousness. Throughout his story The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne critiques legalism in order to advocate the full Christian Gospel of law and grace...
When Hester is punished on the scaffold at the start of the novel, legalism is evident in the harsh responses of the townspeople.