The Scarlet Letter

Set in the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1642 to 1649, the story follows Hester Prynne, a woman shunned for bearing a child out of wedlock. As she navigates the challenges of repentance and seeks to rebuild her life, the novel delves into themes of legalism, sin, and guilt, enriched by various religious and historical allusions. Hester's journey highlights the complexities of morality and societal judgment in a rigidly religious society.