In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne presents the Puritan belief system as oppressive and based in fear. More specifically, Hawthorne is significantly critical of the intolerance inherent in Puritan beliefs and the ways in which Puritans treated those around them unfairly. i hope this helps you out, have a nice day and good luck on any further work that you have to do!!
~razerthebrainieace
