The Setting of the Scarlet Letter In Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 1600s, Calvinism is one of the most important parts of society's assumptions and values . As Calvinists, the Puritans of The Scarlet Letter largely base their political system on religion, creating a theocracy that influences the standard equality between crime and sin. There is no separation between Church and State, so the two are conflated into one, affecting the thoughts and expectations of society in the novel. The most important reason why the setting is what it is is that The Scarlet Letter revolves around adultery. . Today, most people view adultery as a sin, but not as something that could result in the death penalty. However, early in the novel, a chatty Puritan woman who witnesses Hester's punishment says, "It would be greatly for the public good if we women, being of middle age and members of reputable churches, could to be responsible for evildoers like this Hester Prynne", which suggests that ...