The Puritan community of The Scarlet
Letter is essentially a theocracy as the doctrines of Puritanism dictate the
laws. This connection is clearly indicated in the first chapter entitled "The Prison
Door." Moreover, the rust and decay that surround this door also bring into question
the moral uprightness of a religion that punishes with such harshness its
transgressors. In addition, there is a hypocrisy to the religious government of the
Puritan community. The minister Mr. Wison, Boston's highest Puritan clergyman, is often
a guest of the governor,indulging in the rich life of the ruler of the colony of
Masssachusetts. Governor Bellingham lives in an ornate and respledent mansion, a
dwelling sharply in contrast to the simplistic and humble dwellings dictated by Puritan
thought. His windows are of beautifully stained glass, broken into dazzling prisms of
light. Likewise, his garden is colorful,with rose bushes and fruit trees-- "as rich an
ornament as New England earth would offer." His attire is not the simple and
"sad-colored" garment of the Puritan; for his gloves are trimmed fancifully. When Pearl
appears on the day of Hester's interview, brightly dressed in scarlet, the Reverend Mr.
Wilson and the governor both chuckle as Mr. Wilson recalls the richly painted windows of
churches in England, and Governor Bellingham is reminded
of
"...my
days of vanity, in old King James's time, when I was wont to esteem it a high favour to
be admitted to a court mask! There used to be a swarm of these small apparitions in
holiday time, and we called them children of the
Misrule."
In sharpest
contrast to the moral and judicial uprightness expected of a Puritan official is the
fact that the governor's sister, Mistress Hibbins, is a witch who attends the black
masses in the forest. In fact, she invites Hester Prynne to join her as she encounters
the young woman and her child passing from the mansion.
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