Definition of Sin

I thought this might be a possible short-answer on the Test. OK, so, what is the role of sin in the Scarlet Letter? And, what IS sin?

• sin is alienation (everyone who committed a sin is in danger of being alienated; sin is something that contradicts the consensus...Puritan)
  
• sin is growth (sin is a natural mistake that is supposed to be accepted and grown from....Romantic)