Final answer:
The Puritan setting in literature serves to highlight themes surrounding morality, sin, and redemption by depicting a society governed by strict religious beliefs, particularly the doctrine of predestination. The contrast between civilization and the chaos of nature in this setting further underscores these themes. Puritan influences including their commitment to literacy and their vision of a 'city on a hill' also play into the thematic exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Puritan setting illustrates the theme by providing a backdrop where religious and moral beliefs shape society to a great extent. Due to the Puritans' belief in predestination and their view that one's actions are indicative of one's spiritual state, there is a heightened sense of morality and a strong emphasis on leading an orderly, socially virtuous life. This is reflected in literature, such as in Nathaniel Hawthorne's works, where the themes often explore the tension between individual sins and societal expectations.
The Puritan New England setting is synonymous with a strict moral code and the idea of a community that strives to be a "city on a hill," or a model for others to follow. This provided authors, such as Hawthorne, with rich material to examine the human condition and the consequences of sin, guilt, and redemption within a rigidly structured society. The Puritan's dim view of the untamed wilderness and their concept of a covenant with God also play into the theme by establishing a dichotomy between the order of civilization and the chaos of nature, further emphasizing the struggle between good and evil.
The Puritans' commitment to literacy, as they believed that everyone should be able to read the Bible, led to the establishment of the first printing press in English America and the publication of the first book, which helped solidify the Puritan influence on American thought and culture. This cultural commitment to literacy and religious instruction reinforces the themes of morality and predestination in their society.