The setting of The Scarlet Letter is 17th-century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts. The story is mainly situated around the market square, where the pillory and scaffold stand as symbols of public punishment and shame. The bleak and rigid environment accurately reflects the strict morality and religious fervor of the Puritan society. Hawthorne also provides vivid descriptions of the town's surroundings, including the prison, the Governor's mansion, and the forest, which represents a place of hidden sin and freedom from society's judgment. Overall, the setting plays a significant role in shaping the themes and atmosphere of the novel.
