Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 historical novel The Scarlet Letter explores guilt, revenge, and redemption in colonial America. Hawthorne blends supernatural elements with psychological insight in his story of one woman’s public punishment for adultery. Explore a character analysis of Hester Prynne, plot summary, and important quotes.

Summary

Read our full plot summary and analysis of The Scarlet Letter, chapter by chapter breakdowns, and more.

Characters

See a complete list of the characters in The Scarlet Letter and in-depth analyses of Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale, Pearl, Governor Bellingham, and Mistress Hibbins.

Literary Devices

Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in The Scarlet Letter, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.

Questions & Answers

Explore our selection of frequently asked questions about The Scarlet Letter and find the answers you need.

Quotes

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Quizzes

Test your knowledge of The Scarlet Letter with quizzes about every section, major characters, themes, symbols, and more.

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Essays

Get ready to ace your The Scarlet Letter paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.

Further Study

Go further in your study of The Scarlet Letter with background information, movie adaptations, and links to the best resources around the web.

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