In the year 1692, the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts, was plagued by a series of bizarre occurrences. The town's residents were convinced that the devil was among them, and the local authorities were determined to root him out. But little did they know, the true culprit was a young woman named Hester, who had been caught in a compromising position with a young man.
The town's leaders, determined to shame Hester for her transgression, forced her to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest as a constant reminder of her sin. But as the townspeople continued to point and stare, Hester's letter became a symbol of her defiance, a beacon of hope for those who were also being oppressed.
Want to learn more about the real Hester Prynne? Click here for a character analysis.
Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can view a drawing of the scarlet letter.