Why does hawthorne want to tell the story of the custom house?

Hawthorne included the custom house as a prelude to set the tone for his novel "The Scarlet Letter" and to establish the moral and philosophical framework. It also provided context for his own life experiences and views, and allowed him to critique the society of his time. Finally, the custom house chapters serve as a literary device to transition into the narrative of Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale.