The role of the Scaffold
The scaffold where Hester was put on display was a physical example to the people of what could happen to them. The Puritan beliefs were strongly against what Hester did. The community displayed Hester and made an example of her to reassure themselves that they were doing the right thing. The Puritan society uses the faults of other people to reassure itself that it is abiding by God's system and will clear their path to heaven. The purpose of the Puritan society was to have one religion that united all the people through a system of rigorous beliefs. In The Scarlet Letter the scaffold is a place where the public goes to have its beliefs and its unity affirmed by watching power be acted out on an
It lets the people blame whomever is being punished for there sins and rid themselves of any wrong doings they may have committed. When two people are married, in the Puritan society, they make a vow to God stating that they will never be with anyone except their husband or wife. It showed the people that political and spiritual issues are virtually the same thing. The way to safeguard one's trip to heaven, one would have to live a pure and sin-less life. When this vow is broken it is an act against God. Committing adultery is an example of committing a sin against God. In conclusion the scaffold is a place where political and spiritual issues are resolved. It also personified what was outside of their community. The scaffold almost created a sense of security for the people. The scaffold is a place where the people go to remind themselves of what could happen to them and give an open warning that any offense to the Puritan society is an act against God and will be punished accordingly. The scaffold is located in the center of town, the church, town hall and other buildings surround it. It acts as a reminder to the people to show them what could happen to them. The Puritans had strict guidelines which one had to follow. Hester committed adultery and was put on the scaffold.
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,
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Acceptance Essays
