The Scarlet Letter

Summary

The Scarlet Letter is a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850. The story is set in colonial America, in a small town in what is now Massachusetts, during the mid-17th century. The main character, Hester Prynne, is accused of adultery and condemned by the Puritan community. Her punishment is to wear an embroidered red letter 'A' on her chest, symbolizing adultery. The book narrates her life and struggle against public condemnation, as well as the lives of her daughter Pearl, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, who is the father of her child, and Roger Chillingworth, Hester's husband, who seeks revenge for her betrayal. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, revealing the complexity of human nature and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.