The Scarlet Letter

Overview

In 17th-century Salem, Hester Prynne is forced to bear the scarlet letter A as punishment for adultery, raising her illegitimate child alone. For seven years, she has kept her lover's identity a secret. When a mysterious older man arrives, Hester recognizes him as her presumed-dead husband, who now operates under the alias Chillingworth, a physician. He becomes obsessed with uncovering her secret, soon suspecting the tormented young minister, Dimmesdale. As Chillingworth psychologically torments him, the pastor's sanity unravels. When a ship arrives in port, Hester sees an escape for herself, her daughter, and Dimmesdale—but will he agree to flee?