Final answer:
The novel being referred to is 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, in which the protagonist refuses to name the father of her daughter and is punished by spending 3 hours on the pillory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is d. Nathaniel Hawthorne. The novel being referred to is The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, which was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In the novel, the protagonist, Hester Prynne, refuses to name the father of her daughter Pearl and is punished by spending 3 hours on the pillory as a public humiliation. The story explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption.