The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne)

"The Scarlet Letter," a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne published in 1850, is set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts. It tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman shunned by her community after bearing an illegitimate child, Pearl. As punishment, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" for adultery. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, as well as the complexities of social judgment and personal identity. Hester's struggles highlight the tension between individual desires and societal norms, making it a powerful commentary on morality and human experience.