The Scarlet Letter (ch. 5-6)

     These chapters highlight how the town's way of dealing with Hester has only served to further alienate her from community, even the church community who is supposed to forgive her and welcome her back.  And this alienation is taking a toll on Hester's child, who rebels against the Christian faith probably because she sees no benefit for following Christ, she only sees an angry, judgmental God and not a forgiving one.  Through the way they chose to deal with sin, the church is warping Pearl's vision of what the church does.  She doesn't see it as a place that welcomes sinners and is merciful, therefore she doesn't see God as one who does that.  This is evident when she tells Hester, "I have no Heavenly Father!"  And the way the townspeople treat Hester and Prynne is an awful example of how the church is supposed to treat people and care for "the least of these," people who need the most help, including single women and children.  The church could be setting a way better example for being the people of God, yet they choose to distance themselves with a "holier than thou" air about them.