The Scarlet Letter（红字）

The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, is an American novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is generally considered to be his magnum opus. Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who gives birth after committing adultery, refuses to name the father, and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity.

Throughout the novel, Hawthorne explores questions of grace, legalism, sin and guilt.

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《红字》以17世纪清教殖民统治下的新英格兰为背景，讲述海丝特·白兰的恋爱悲剧。女主人公嫁给了医生奇灵渥斯，他们之间却没有爱情。在孤独中白兰与牧师丁梅斯代尔相恋并生下女儿珠儿。白兰被当众惩罚，戴上标志“通奸”的红色A字示众。然而白兰坚贞不屈，拒不说出孩子的父亲。作品揭露社会的残酷、宗教的欺骗和道德的虚伪等主题。

纳撒尼尔·霍桑。19世纪前半期美国最伟大的小说家。 其代表作品有：短篇小说集《古宅青苔》、《重讲一遍的故事》等，长篇小说《红字》、《带七个尖顶的阁楼》、《福谷传奇》、《玉石人像》等。这些都是世界文学史上不可多得的经典名著。