The Scarlet Letter

“No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true…” 
- Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter is a historical fiction first published in 1850 by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is considered his masterwork. Set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony during the years 1642 to 1649 it tells the story of a “fallen” woman her vengeful and incognito husband and a charismatic young minister harbouring a terrible secret. The female protagonist Hester Prynne conceives a daughter through an affair and is publicly shamed for adultery. She wears the titular red “A” on her breast marking her as an adulteress. In her arms she bears Pearl the daughter born of sin. The book explores the theme of sin repentance dignity honour and courage.