The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a classic American novel set in 17th-century Puritan New England. It tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman forced to wear a scarlet “A” as punishment for adultery and to raise her daughter Pearl in shame. As Hester endures public scorn with quiet dignity, the novel explores themes of sin, guilt, secrecy, and redemption—especially through the hidden torment of her lover, the Reverend Dimmesdale. Hawthorne’s rich symbolism and moral depth make this a powerful critique of judgment and hypocrisy.