The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850, is set in 17th-century Puritan New England. It follows Hester Prynne, a woman who has an affair and bears an illegitimate child. As punishment, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest, symbolizing her sin. The novel explores Hester's struggle with shame, guilt, and redemption, while also examining the harshness of societal judgment, the complexities of human nature, and the consequences of secret sin. The Scarlet Letter is a powerful exploration of morality, identity, and the burden of shame.