Literature often reflects the time period that it is written in. Economic success or slumps, times of peril or prosperity, and other significant events in history are frequently shown in the story. "The Scarlet Letter," written in the 1850's by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne does just this. Although the story takes place in the 17th century, important themes of the 19th century transcend through the writing. Characters in the book show characteristics of the new era in America, and occasionally share the emotions of the author. Through the tale of a woman in a Puritan community having to live with the shame of being a known sinner, some ideals of the 1850's like freethinking, women's rights, and religious freedom are evident.

"The Scarlet Letter" was written in the year 1850, and although the book takes place 200 years earlier, many of the concepts and ideas described in the story are...