Religion

Religion functions as a central motivator throughout the novel that dictates life experience and character development. The religious disputes between members of the Church of England and Puritans in England catalyzes the creation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the first place, and motivates Mr. Fletcher to leave his opulent and love-filled life behind. The austerity of Puritanism is a direct response to what they perceive as the flagrancy of the state. In both societies, religion is a central aspect of life. It dictates the way the characters experience life in the sense that it provides dogma, a set of rules, to live by. Esther’s character exemplifies that adhering to the rules of Puritanism grants acceptance and admiration from other members of the society. Religion thus becomes the guide by which the characters explore, understand, and interact with the world around them. Bolstered by their...