The quote, “A shared sense of shame is important for keeping society healthy”, relates to “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, because this book depicts what happens to society when everyone’s shame and guilt is hidden. In Hawthorne’s book, a woman, Hester, is shunned and outcasted by the town she lived in because of her one mistake. This would not happen if everyone admitted their sins and wrongs. The society in the book would be more accepting of Hester if everyone was more understanding and sympathetic towards one another.