Can a theocracy be an effective type of government? Many object to this idea, but it was the basis of the Puritan religion, which reformed against the Catholic Church of England by placing their religion in the New England area. Theocracy is a government in which the church leaders are also the state leaders. The Puritans went by what the leaders said and they also went by John Calvin's doctrine of predestination. There religion was very strict in its rules, which consisted of: humans always being corrupt, God chose who went to heaven and hell, and only those with God's salvation would receive divine grace. The Puritans punished severely and almost every crime committed resulted in death. Their strict emphasis on moral righteousness was objected by many including Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote the novel The Scarlet Letter, which criticized the Puritan society. In this novel, Hawthorne uses the reoccurring theme of the concealment of sin, or guilt, and its harmful effects on Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth.
             Hester Prynne, maybe the most important character in this novel, suffers greatly for her concealment of sin. Her first and most obvious sin is that of adultery, in which she bears the letter "A", and bears a daughter, Pearl, in which both seem to have a long and deleterious effect on Hester both physically and mentally. In her trial for punishment she is asked to give the name of the man who committed adultery with her. Hester responds with, "I will not speak! ...And my child must seek a heavenly father; she shall never know an earthly one!" This response thus gives the reader the idea that she will hide this man's identity for many years, if not for her life. Hester not only conceals this, but she decides to stay in New England, and live out her punishment. As the years go by Hester's appearance and mind dwindles as she bears the letter "A"...