Every action reaps its consequences. This truth is revealed in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published by Ticknor, Reed and Fields in 1850. Classified in the romance genre, The Scarlet Letter has a solemn, dark, mysterious and almost eerie mood. The historical novel is set in the strict Puritan society of 17th century Boston, Massachusetts. At the beginning of the book, the past act of adultery has already been committed. The story then follows the characters involved in the dirty deed and skillfully details their responses to the aftermath. The characters Hawthorne develops are deep, unique, and difficult to truly understand. The young, tall and beautiful Hester Prynne is the central protagonist of this story. Shamefully, the strong-willed and independent Hester is the bearer of the scarlet letter. Burning with emotion, she longs to escape her marks, but at the same time, she refuses to appear defeated by society's punishment. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale claims supporting role in The Scarlet Letter; he is secretly Hester's adulterous partner. Conflicted and distressed by his undisclosed act, he drives himself to physical and mental illness. He longs for Hester, but should he risk his divine reputation by revealing the truth? Dimmesdale burns like Hester. Pearl, the child born from Hester and Dimmesdale's sin, is the third main character. She is fiery, passionate, insightful and astonishingly symbolic; at one point in the novel she is called "the life-giving scarlet letter!" » Inevitably, Pearl becomes consumed with questions about herself, her mother and Dimmesdale. The reader follows Pearl as she discovers the truth. In total, Hawthorne's use of a ch...... middle of paper ... gift is not mentioned anywhere in the novel. Dimmesdale, who is a Puritan, at least in name, dies because he knows he is condemned. He tries to escape his guilt, but as he ultimately remains religious, he is overwhelmed by his burden and it kills him, both physically and spiritually. On the contrary, Hester lives because she believes herself to be free. However, his happiness is based on ignorance and pride. She refuses to realize that she too will inevitably face death and judgment. Dimmesdale's melancholy death is based on partial ignorance. He admits the reality of his conviction, but unfortunately he does not realize that he can be forgiven and restored. In short, true happiness is not found in ignorance, but in the truth of forgiveness through Christ. Unfortunately, Nathaniel Hawthorne's complex themes in The Scarlet Letter have led countless readers astray..