The Scarlet Letter

Set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts, the novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption through the story of Hester Prynne, who bears an illegitimate child and is publicly shamed. The scarlet letter "A" she is forced to wear symbolizes her transgression and the societal judgment she faces. The narrative delves into the complexities of morality and the human condition, highlighting the struggles of Hester, her secret lover Dimmesdale, and her estranged husband Chillingworth.