“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 themes of sin, repentance, dignity, honour and courage.
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) was an American novelist and short story writer best known for his works exploring themes of sin, guilt, and morality in Puritan New England. His most famous novel, The Scarlet Letter (1850), tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman condemned by her community for adultery. Other notable works include The House of the Seven Gables (1851) and Young Goodman Brown (1835), a short story that delves into themes of religious hypocrisy and the nature of evil.
Hawthorne was a key figure in American Romanticism and Dark Romanticism, often incorporating gothic elements and psychological depth in his writing. He was also friends with notable contemporaries like Herman Melville and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His works remain widely studied for their rich symbolism and exploration of moral complexity
Additional information
Weight
0.3 kg
Dimensions
21 × 13.2 × 1.8 cm
Author
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Imprint
Yuvaan Books
Publication date
1 January 2021
Pages
279
Reading age
14 years and up
ISBN-13
978-8194939382
Binding
Paperback
Language
English
Brand
Yuvaan Books
Customer Reviews
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Be the first to review “The Scarlet Letter” Cancel reply
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.