In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the strict theocratic society of the Puritan settlement is used to set up a sort of foil for the main character. Through this character he also incorporates the literary archetypes of the Civilization versus the Forest. Similarly, Miller also incorporates these schemes. They both speak of the undertones of corruption in the Puritan society. The Puritan setting also enables him to portray the each author?s main characters under extreme pressures. Thus, when comparing The Scarlet Letter, to The Crucible, one sees the similarities in the major themes of intolerance, and upholding reputation through hypocrisy.…
