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"The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables" are Hawthorne's masterpieces. Describing the dark side of society and human nature is a prominent feature of Hawthorne's works, which is inseparable from the influence of Calvinism's theory of human "original sin" and "inherent depravity". Hawthorne is the pioneer of psychological novels and is good at analyzing people's "heart". He focused on the issues of morality and sin, and advocated washing away sins and purifying the soul through good deeds and self-repentance, so as to be saved.

It is said to be based on life in New England during the colonial period, with the plot of "adultery" regarded as an unpardonable crime by the harsh Puritanism at that time as the core, and the spiritual world of the four characters related to this "crime" is depicted in detail. Hester Prynne, who wears a bright red letter A (Adultcry - the initials of the word "adultery") on his chest, has been mentally rehabilitated after a long period of atonement. The shameful letter has gradually become a respected symbol. Pastor Dimmesdale has been tortured by his faith and conscience for a long time, and finally transformed from a fanatical religious activist into a flesh-and-blood man who dares to take responsibility. Hester's husband, Chillingworth, was originally a brilliant scholar but he completely lost his humanity driven by revenge. The little Bo'er born from "adultery" looks like a wild and untamed pagan elf.

The novel is set in colonial New England and tells the fate of three main characters outside a loveless marriage. When the heroine Hester moved to North America, her husband disappeared and she wandered alone in a strange city. There, she met a young pastor, the two fell in love with each other, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. This incident offended the Puritan society, so she was arrested, a red A symbolizing shame was put on her chest, and she stood on the execution platform with her child in her arms for public interrogation. And it was the young priest who interrogated her... In the audience, a strange-looking mysterious man witnessed all this. Then, the young pastor suddenly fell ill. The mysterious man claimed to have extraordinary medical skills and soon became his doctor and close friend. The secret truth gradually emerged...

"The Scarlet Letter" is a classic work written by the famous American writer Hawthorne in 1850, and is considered by the world to be his masterpiece. The content of this work was written against the background of the Puritans in Massachusetts in the 17th century. Through the cruel content of the story, the author attempts to explore the deep meaning of social ideologies such as legality, original sin and crime.