The Scarlet Letter

First published in 1850 The Scarlet Letter is the work that would establish Nathaniel Hawthornes literary legacy. It is the story of Hester Prynne a young attractive woman who has been convicted of the crime of adultery and has been sentenced to wear a scarlet letter A sewn to her dress. As the result of the affair Hester has a child named Pearl and because the man with whom she has committed this act refuses to come forward she finds herself having to raise the child alone. The novel which is set in middle 17th century Boston is a vivid picture of the archaic social beliefs and customs that were indicative of early colonial American life. It is a time when extreme puritanical beliefs ruled everyday life in which adultery was not only considered immoral but a crime. Hawthornes narrative is an exploration of the nature of sin guilt and the way in which society tries to police morality through the rule of law. A haunting portrait of days long past The Scarlet Letter is a brilliant portrayal of life in Puritanical America. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.