The Scarlet Letter Analytical Essay Along with other elements, setting plays an important role in moving the plot forward in almost every book. Especially in The Scarlet Letter, there are many factors that affect the setting of the book. The setting and the correlation of the climate with the mood of the characters plays a leading role in the development of the plot; the actual time period, the story's setting, and specific descriptions of the setting, characters, and climate change the novel's perspective, making it more or less dark. It is important to take into account the time period during which this story took place because it gives us background information about the story and also “sets the mood of the readers” (Literary Devices). This story took place in the mid-17th century in the city of Boston. During this period, the state religion was the Church of England. The Church of England had gotten rid of many Catholic practices, but the Puritans wanted further changes and desired maximum spiritual purity. As a result, they abandoned the church and desired to create a community that emphasized and emphasized religious purity. They made sure their laws were strict and focused on their goal which was to eradicate sin. Their religiously strict community plays an important role in advancing the plot of The Scarlet Letter because their leaders and citizens had a strong view of sin and wanted to eradicate any kind of evil that might exist in their community. It is vital that the reader understands the importance of setting and environment because both “determine character” (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). The next factor to take into consideration is character descriptions. ...... middle of the paper ...... the plot and also helps the reader distinguish between the nature of sin and evil and the nature of happiness and joy. Finally, it is clear that there is a strong correlation between the climate and the mood of the characters. Depending on the atmospheric conditions, the characters are joyful or sad and suffering. Once again, the setting and descriptions play an important role in moving the plot of The Scarlet Letter forward. Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1984. Print."Literary Devices." Literary devices. Np, nd Web. 6 April 2014. .The editors of the Encyclopædia Britannica. “setting (literary device).” Encyclopedia Britannica online. Encyclopedia Britannica, nd Web. 6 April. 2014.