The Scarlet Letter is the tragic story of a woman's shame and the cruel treatment she suffers at the hands of the Puritan society in which she lives.

A settler in New England, Hester Prynne has waited two years for her husband, an ageing English scholar,to join her. He arrives to find her in the pillory, a small baby in her arms. She must, as a punishment for her adultery, wear a scarlet 'A' embroidered on her breast and is Consequently ostracized by her contemptuous neighbours.

A settler in New England, Hester Prynne has waited two years for her husband, an ageing English scholar,to join her. He arrives to find her in the pillory, a small baby in her arms. She must, as a punishment for her adultery, wear a scarlet "A" embroidered on her breast and is Consequently ostracized by her contemptuous neighbours.

Sworn to keep secret the identity of both her husband and her lover, Hester slowly wins the respect of society by her charitable acts. Her own strength and the moral cowardice of the man who allows her to face guilt and shame alone are brought into sharp contrast in a dramatic and harrowing conclusion.

Preface to the Second Edition of The Scarlet Letter

THE CUSTOM HOUSE. INTRODUCTORY SKETCH

THE PRISON DOOR

THE MARKET PLACE

THE RECOGNITION

THE INTERVIEW

HESTER AT HER NEEDLE

PEARL

THE GOVERNOR"S HALL

THE ELF-CHILD AND THE MINISTER

THE LEECH

THE LEECH AND HIS PATIENT

THE INTERIOR OF A HEART

THE MINISTER"S VIGIL

ANOTHER VIEW OF HESTER

HESTER AND THE PHYSICIAN

HESTER AND PEARL

A FOREST WALK

THE PASTOR AND HIS PARISHIONER

A FLOOD OF SUNSHINE

THE CHILD AT THE BROOKSIDE

THE MINISTER IN A MAZE

THE NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAY

THE PROCESSION

THE REVELATION OF THE SCARLET LETIER

CONCLUSION