The Scarlet Letter

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