The Scarlet Letter: Hester Prynne and Adultery In seventeenth century New England, it was not exactly beneficial to be referred to as an "individualist." The Puritans of the colonies emphasized a collective existence and identity, preaching uniform obedience as one body, soul, and spirit. They believed in pre-destination, and accepted that one sinner fallen from grace could and would deprave them of their being "elected" by God. Just as they in sum were elected, so could they be damned. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter, protagonist Hester Prynne represents that consequence. By committing adultery, the community feels that she has t