Question

what does hawthorne suggest about the puritan society through his portrayal of their treatment of hester?

that their justice system was fair and merciful
that their rigid moral code was often hypocritical and cruel
that their approach to punishment effectively deterred sin
that their religious devotion created a harmonious community

question 9
1 pts
the lower part of the text is unclear, omitted

Explanation:

In "The Scarlet Letter", Hawthorne portrays Hester's treatment by the Puritan society. The Puritans' rigid moral code led to harsh and unfair treatment of Hester, while many in the society (like Dimmesdale) had their own hidden sins, showing hypocrisy. The other options are incorrect: the justice system was not fair/merciful, punishment didn't effectively deter sin, and the community was not harmonious due to their strictures. So the correct option is the one about the rigid moral code being hypocritical and cruel.

Answer:

B. That their rigid moral code was often hypocritical and cruel