Biblical Allusions in "The Scarlet Letter"

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, biblical allusions are crucial to the story as a whole. For example, in the chapter entitled "The Marketplace", Hawthorne explains that a Papist (Roman Catholic) would view Hester Prynne--who was standing on a scaffold in front of the Salem townsmen at that time--"picturesque in her attire and mien", "an object to remind him of Divine Maternity" and also "of that sacred image of sinless motherhood." By referring to a Papist point of view, Hawthorne hints that Hester Prynne is truly innocent, as is proved at various points throughout the novel.…