"The Scarlet Letter" is a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne published in 1850. It is set in the Puritan community of 17th-century Boston and follows the story of Hester Prynne, who has been publicly shamed and ostracized for having an affair and giving birth to a child out of wedlock. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, punishment, and the effects of societal judgment on the individual.
The central symbol of the novel is the scarlet letter "A" that Hester must wear as a symbol of her adultery. The novel also explores the relationships between Hester, her lover (the father of her child), and the town's minister, who is also struggling with guilt and shame. The novel ultimately questions the morality and motives of the Puritan society and the nature of human sin and redemption.
"The Scarlet Letter" is considered a classic of American literature and is widely read and studied for its themes, symbolism, and narrative style.