The Scarlet Letter Most of the themes that people discuss in the novel will come from the following topics: The nature of sin (and forgiveness or grace) Individuality and consequences for going against expectations (or conformity and effects of struggling to belong) The benefits of being connected or close to nature (and the ill-effects of being disconnected or removed from nature) Explain how ideas related to each of the three topics is present in chapters 9-13

The Scarlet Letter

Most of the themes that people discuss in the novel will come from the following topics:

• The nature of sin (and forgiveness or grace)
• Individuality and consequences for going against expectations (or conformity and effects of struggling to belong)
• The benefits of being connected or close to nature (and the ill-effects of being disconnected or removed from nature)

Explain how ideas related to each of the three topics is present in chapters 9-13. Where can we see specific evidence? In each case, what specific theme might be developing in the novel. For instance, if a character suffers physically because of his unwillingness to admit his sin, crime, or fault, perhaps this shows that one's own guilt and self-punishment is more significant than the punishment society would have given him. So, a more particular theme would be something like: "Hawthorne asks whether the true punishment for sin comes from within."