The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, is set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts and tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman condemned to wear a scarlet letter "A" for adultery. Hawthorne explores complex themes such as societal judgment, individual sin versus public punishment, and the nature of guilt and forgiveness. The novel is renowned for its symbolic depth, such as the letter "A" itself symbolizing both shame and resilience