Set in the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony during the years 1642 to 1649, the novel tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter with a man to whom she is not married and then struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity.

As punishment, she must wear a scarlet letter 'A' (for "adultery").

Containing a number of religious and historic allusions, the book explores themes of legalism, sin and guilt.