Final answer:
The combination of plot, character, and setting in The Scarlet Letter reveals Hawthorne's view of the Puritans through the setting symbolizing their oppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combination of plot, character, and setting in this excerpt from The Scarlet Letter reveals Hawthorne's view of the Puritans through c) The setting symbolizes their oppression. The setting of the Puritan community in the novel is portrayed as a bleak and oppressive environment. This is evident in the dark and dreary descriptions of the town and prison, which symbolize the strict moral and religious codes imposed by the Puritan society. The oppressive setting serves to highlight Hawthorne's critique of the Puritans and their rigid and judgmental attitudes.