The Scarlet LetterStrikingly modern themes of passion, sin, and guilt pervade the story of Hester Prynne. Believing herself a widow, Hester has an illicit affair with a well-respected member of her Puritan New England community. Though she bears his child, and vilification and punishment from her neighbors as a result, Hester will not reveal the man's name. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Anne Hutchinson answered Hester Arthur Dimmesdale aspect beauty beheld beneath bosom breast brook brought character child clergyman cried Custom House dark deep Dimmes Dimmesdale's Dost thou earth earthly embroidered England evil eyes face fancy father felt forest gaze gleam Governor Bellingham gray guilty hand hast hath Hawthorne Hawthorne's head heart Hester Prynne hither human ignominy imagination infant ister kind knew light likewise little Pearl look magistrates market-place Massachusetts Bay Colony ment mind minister minister's Mistress Hibbins moral mother murmur Nathaniel Hawthorne nature ness never Old Manse old Roger Chillingworth once pale passion physician pillory poor Prynne's Puritan Reverend Roger Chilling Salem scaffold scarlet letter scene secret seemed seen shadow shame smile solemn Sophia Peabody soul speak spirit stood strange sunshine symbol sympathy thee thought tion token town truth Twice-Told Tales voice whispered wild Wilt thou woman yonder young