Nathaniel Hawthorne



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Powerful symbolism and psychological complexity distinguish the fiction of 19th-century American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne’s works explore the darker side of human nature, especially themes of guilt, sin, and redemption. In The Scarlet Letter (1850), the protagonist, Hester Prynne, must wear a scarlet letter, A, on her clothing as punishment for adultery. This passage, near the end of the book, indicates that Hester has found freedom and autonomy as an outcast in her community. (Recited by an actor.)

Appears in these articles

Hawthorne, Nathaniel; American Literature; Novel

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