We examined the historical significance of Puritan culture and the alluded to ouster of Anne Hutchison from the Boston Colony as evidence of Hawthorne's thematic critique of strict punitive moral codes . Studying diction and symbolism ,I then addressed how the author's word choice and imagery reinforces the critical tone. Further, we noted the ornate artistry in the "A" Hester Prynne is condemned to wear and explored the idea of interpretive symbolism as the "A " begins to shed its denotation of shame and perhaps represents the "artist" in society who alone stands against societal self-righteousness.