The Scarlet Letter was declared a classic almost immediately after its publication in 1850,and it has stayed in print and in favor ever since.It has stayed in the first symbolic novel and as the first psychological novel .But what really secure the place of The Scarlet Letter in literary history is its treatment of human nature,sin,guilt,and pride---all timeless,universal themes---from a uniquely American point of view.

The Scarlet Letter was declared a classic almost immediately after its publication in 1850,and it has stayed in print and in favor ever since.It has stayed in the first symbolic novel and as the first psychological novel .But what really secure the place of The Scarlet Letter in literary history is its treatment of human nature,sin,guilt,and pride---all timeless,universal themes---from a uniquely American point of view.

INTRODUCTION

  CHRONOLOGY OF NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE"S

LIFE AND WORK

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF The Scarlet

Letter

THE SCARLET LETTER

  AUTHOR"S PREFACE TO THE

SECOND EDITION

 THE CUSTOM HOUSE.--INTRODUCTORY

1.  THE PRISoN-DOOR

2.  THE MARKET-PLACE

3.  THE RECOGNITION

4.  THE INTERVIEW

5.  HESTER AT HER NEEDLE

6.  PEARL

7. THE GOVERNOR"S HALL

8. THE ELF-CHILD AND THE MINISTER

9. THE LEECH

10. THE LEECH AND HIS PATIENT

11  THE INTERIOR OF A HEART

12.  THE MINISTER"S VIGIL

13.  ANOTHER VIEW OF HESTER

14.  HESTER AND THE PHYSICIAN                                                               

15.  HESTER AND PEARL

16.  A FOREST WALK

17.  THE PASTOR AND HIS PARISHIONER

18.  A FLOOD OF SUNSHINE

19.  THE CHILD AT THE BROOK-SIDE

20. THE MINISTER IN A MAZE

2I.  THE NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAY

22.  THE PROCESSION

23.  THE REVELATION OF THE SCARLET LETTER

24. CONCLUSION

   NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE ON

    The Scarlet Letter

   NOTES

   INTERPRETIVE NOTES

   CRITICAL EXCERPTS

   QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

   SUGGESTIONS FOR THE INTERESTED READER