The Lasting Effects of Sin The past always comes back to haunt us throughout our lives. Puritan society is highly based upon a person’s reputation. Without an honorable reputation a person is not worthy of respect from others in their society. Characters in this novel go through their lives struggling with themselves trying to cope with the guilt and shame associated with their actions. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, he shows …showed first 75 words of 1792 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1792 total…-120. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Austin: Holt, Rienhart and Winston, 1850. Lawrence, D.H. “Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter.” Hester Prynne. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea, 1990. 39-51. Solomon, Amy. “Passage commentary on The Scarlet Letter.” The Principio Project at Peddie. 11 Oct. 1997. Riverside Poly High School Library. 20 Nov. 2000 . Ziff, Larzer. “The Ethical Dimension of “The Custom House.” Nathaniel Hawthorne. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea, 1986. 33-39.