"Adam? Eve? is that you?"

First, I forget where I heard this from but a lot of writers derive the basis of their novels from personal experiences or historical/biblical events.  Just keep that in mind during the middle of this.

After finishing the book, I started thinking to myself about common reoccurring themes throughout the book and the main theme that pretty much allowed for the entire book to transpire was sin; I then linked this theme to one of the biggest events of sin in all of history, which is Adam and Eves' original sin.  In this classical tale that depicts the origins of both humanity and sin, we see that temptation was to great and Adam and Eve had gone ahead and ate the forbidden fruit.  As a result of their actions they were exiled and forced to leave the garden of Eden.  Similarly, Hester is ostracized and shunned by society for her decisions and sins (although that only she and not Dimmesdale payed for these consequences at least on a public scale) and is exiled and shunned by society.  A second parallel between this story and the story that is well accepted and tied into the puritan beliefs is that both events served as the basis and example of sin within each "society."  There examples of sin and the punishments inflicted upon them are the example set upon society and how the must uphold and fulfill their lives.  Lastly, Chillingworth may be seen as the serpent or the evil within the garden or "society" and after all is said and done, he truly shows his colors and his evil intentions and black character is revealed.  If anyone can think of any other similarities between the biblical story and the novel feel free to comment them.

Salvatore