An instance of the forest being evil can be revealed when Mistress Hibbins approaches Hester to invite her to "dance with the dark man", this goes with the setting of the forest. She presents Hester with the question "wilt thou go with us tonight? There will be a merry company in the forest; and I well-nigh promised the Black Man that comely Hester should make one" (119). When rumors spread through town about Hester and her adulterous letter, they would say that it would glow when she would walk through the forest, thus revealing the forest as a somewhat witchlike place. However, the forest is also a safe place. Safety is demonstrated as Hester goes to talk with Dimmesdale and she approaches none other than, the forest. Thus, concluding that the forest serves as a protective area and an area to be feared or weary of. The fear of the forest is what makes it safe. .
Along with the sense of nature in the novel the concept of naturalness of humanity, or naturalism also occurs. In a strict society, such as the Puritans, Hester disobeys the laws. She, in her decision to have a relationship with Reverend Dimmesdale, goes against the Puritan laws and moral code. Her husband, Chillingworth who she loved in the beginning but didn't last, is overseas and Hester thinks that her husband is dead. Keep in mind that in order for her to fit into the Puritan society, she would have to remain celibate to keep her bond to her early husband, whether he's alive or dead. Hester demonstrates human naturalness by obeying her instinctual urges and having a relationship with Reverend Dimmesdale. Also through much of her actions throughout the book she shows her naturalism. Three months after having a child she was incarcerated for adultery. Her punishment was concluded that she would have to wear a stitched red letter A on her chest as long as she remained in Boston. After being released from prison Hester is forced to stand in shame on the town scaffold for three hours in front of the whole town as, ".