In Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter what appears to be the author's attitude towards his Puritan ancestors?

As Hawthorne begins The Scarlet Letter, he tells his
audience that new civilizations require two things from the onset, a cemetary and a
prision.  This suggests to his audience that he believes the Puritan ancestors to be
harsh and unforgiving people.  As the opening chapter continues by describing the
prision's door, it describes it as an ancient relic in the new world.  If everything in
Boston was built at the same time, yet this door appeared old and overused, it must be
because the Puritans are quick to judge and even quicker to punish their neighbors
transgressors.

As the town gossips discuss the young
mother's punishment, the audience sees Hawthorne again describing the judgemental
people. The women suggest that she should have the A branded on her forehead, or that
she should be put to death.  No sympathy rests in their hearts for
Hester.

At the same time, the story investigates that all
the Puritans may not be equally pure of heart.  Governor Bellingham house the most
expenisve decorations in his shiny house.  What about the Minister Dimmesdale and the
sins held close to his heart?  Hawthorne looks at the people who wre willing to judge
and questions if they are as innocent on the inside as the present themselves to
be.