The Scarlet Letter
- First published
- 1850
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a historical novel published in 1850. Set in Puritan Massachusetts during the 1640s, it follows Hester Prynne, who bears a child out of wedlock and must wear a scarlet "A" as punishment for adultery. While she refuses to name the father, her long-lost husband arrives in town seeking revenge. The story explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption as secrets threaten to destroy lives in this unforgiving community.
- Adultery
- Historical fiction
- Revenge
- Psychological fiction
- Married women
- Clergy
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #25344. The Scarlet Letter on Wikipedia.
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