The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne remains a prolific piece of literature due to its

exploration of universal themes such as sin, guilt, and redemption, its enduring relevance to
modern society and its use of literary techniques such as symbolism. The novel's protagonist,
Hester Prynne, is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' as a public symbol of her adultery, leading to
her exclusion and marginalization from the Puritan community. Hawthorne uses Hester's story to
explore the themes of sin vs guilt and redemption as well as the effects of social stigma and the
power of developing one’s personal identity. He also indirectly highlights philosophies such as
transcendentalism through his development of the character Pearl. Through his vivid portrayal
of Puritan society, Hawthorne also critiques the rigid and hypocritical Puritan moral codes that
restrict individual freedom and expression. The novel's powerful themes, insightful social
commentary, use of symbolism and complex and multidimensional characters have ensured its
enduring popularity and relevance to modern readers.