What is the setting of The Scarlet Letter? Why is the setting important to the novel's man vs. society conflict?

The
novel  is set in the theocratic and patriarchal Puritan society of the
Massachusetts Bay Colony. The year is 1642, which means that this particular group of colonists
settled in the area of Boston, and were part of a second wave of settlers that came from England
in 1630 with the purpose of purifying the Church of England. 

The specific
society to which Hester and Roger Prynne had planned to go and be a part of, offered many
opportunities for settlers to start new lives. However, the Puritan rule was in place. This
means that, upon arriving to Massachusetts Bay, the colonists had to abide by the rules set by
the magistrates. They would also have to be assigned to a spiritual leader, which was
essentially a pastor that would watch over their spiritual health. 's assigned spiritual leader,
upon her arrival, was Reverend . 

Hester came into the colony alone.
Moreover, shortly after her arrival it was thought that her husband, Roger, had been lost at sea
and was presumed dead. Also shortly after her arrival, Hester and her pastor begin an affair. It
is presumably close enough to her arrival date, since, little thereafter, she becomes
pregnant.

When she can no longer hide the pregnancy, she is forced to reveal
the name of the father of the child. As she refuses to do so, she is not only punished with the
scaffold and prison, but is also mandated to wear the letter "A", for adulterer, on
her bosom for the rest of her natural life. 

This series of events reveal the
conflict of man (or woman) versus society. Hester Prynne arrived in the colony already a
loveless wife. When her husband is presumed dead, she engages in a relationship with someone
whom she actually loves. To the modern reader, Hester's actions may seem too quick but,
considering her situation as someone forced to marry at a young age, they are still
understandable. 

However, the society of the 17th century is entirely
theocratic and bound by the mandates of the Bible. This means that all commandments must be
obeyed, or else punishment will ensue. Hester committed impure acts, according to the sixth
commandment. She also must have involved a husband from the village (or so they thought) to
commit those acts. The results were that Hester had to endure the public humiliation that was
typical of her society. Standing at the scaffold meant having to tolerate the jeers of the
people and being questioned publicly as to who is the father of her child. The use of the
scarlet letter meant having to expose her "crime" to everyone, and expect the
criticism and rejection of the general public. Imprisonment meant depriving Hester of her
freedom, and further humiliating her.

Moreover, Hester was treated as a
pariah: She was the topic of church sermons, of the scorn of the citizens, and of the jokes of
children. She suffered entirely too much considering the actual magnitude of her crime. For
these reasons, Hester could be easily considered a progressive woman for her time; one who cared
less about imposed regulations, and more about her own freedom and well-being. Unfortunately,
such freedom and well-being came with a price that she paid for, unfortunately, on her
own.