In Puritan Boston, Hester Prynne is punished for giving birth to a baby of unknown parentage. She is required to wear a scarlet “A”, the sign of the adulteress on her dress when she is in front of the townspeople to shame her. However, she never reveals the name of the baby’s father. As time passes, Hester faces many difficulties, including the return of her long-lost husband.

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist, dark romantic, and short story writer. His works often focus on history, morality, and religion. Much of Hawthorne’s writing centers on New England and many of his works feature moral metaphors with an anti-Puritan inspiration. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity.