It was the nineteenth century, a time of great modesty in America, but a man was born, Nathaniel Hawthorne, who would test Puritan society and their way of acting . A Puritan is one who follows the English Protestant lifestyle and someone who adheres to strict religious principles; even those who have a strong regard for sexual pleasure and nudity. (Webster's Dictionary, 2003) Born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts and of Puritan descent, Nathaniel Hawthorne and his family experienced intense harassment during their time. (Hoeljte, pp. 25-26) Experiences that today make Hawthorne not only a great author, but also highly appreciated by readers. Nathaniel attended a prestigious school with the help of wealthy family members. (Hoeljte, pp 174) Hawthorne himself after not becoming a lawyer or doctor as his family would have liked had many financial problems, he was forced to work and write short stories to support a family due to his talent for writing. Hawthornes began immediately after college, where he wrote many unpublished and published short stories, novels, and articles. Hawthornes' main novel was intended to be a long story, but due to his financial problems he was forced to turn this long story into a now famous novel. (Hoeljte, pp. 280-285) Hawthorne became one of the leading writers of his time, moving away from formalism and exploring ideas of individual responsibility, the importance of creative expression, and man's relationship to the natural world. In addition to financial concerns, another influence on the story is Hawthorne's rejection of his ancestors. His ancestors were strict Puritans, and John Hathorne, his great-great-grandfather, was a judge who presided during the Salem witch trials. ( Hoeljte, pp 36-37...... middle of paper ...... ying the authenticity of the American dream of freedom and independence through its characters and plot. Hawthorne also does an excellent job with his use of sin, isolation and reunion in the novel. Works Cited1, Chester Pearl and the Puritan Heritage 1951 pp 323-3292, The Scarlet Letter. Harper and Brothers, 1879) 102-18.5. Johnson, Durst Claudia Critical Response to the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Greenwood Press.8. Trident Press International, edition 2003