The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is considered to be one of the greatest examples of true American literature. Its excellency of topic, characterization, and description has made it a permanent part of our history. Set in Salem, Massachusetts in the 1600s, it describes the life of Hester Prynne, a Puritan woman whose existence is marred by sin. The real genius of the book is found in its description. Hawthorne makes allusion, symbolism, and …showed first 75 words of 1448 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1448 total…by one of the most skillful authors of all time, it is a great example of how a reader can be dragged into the action and live with the characters. Yet even with all this action, The Scarlet Letter manages to teach its audience a lesson in coping with life's blows. Its clarity of thought and expression has captivated readers for over a century and probably will continue to do so for many years more.