The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, is a classic American prose romance written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is generally considered to be his masterpiece. Set in Puritan New England in the 17th century, the novel 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, Hawthorne explores the issues of grace, legalism, and guilt.

Literary, Theatrical, and Cinematic Adaptations

• 1917: A b&w silent film directed by Carl Harbaugh with Colleen Moore as Hester
• 1926: A silent movie directed by Victor Sjostrom and starring Lillian Gish
• 1934: A talkie directed by Robert G. Vignola and starring Colleen Moore
• Der Scharlachrote Buchstabe 1972 directed by Wim Wenders in German
• Meg Foster and John Heard star in a 1979 PBS version.
• The 1993 novel, The Holder of the World by Bharati Mukherjee re-wrote the story, placing it in present day Boston, Colonial America, and 17th century India during the spread of the British East India Company.
• The 1995 film, The Scarlet Letter is directed by Roland Joffé and stars Demi Moore as Hester.
• In 2001, a musical stage adaptation premiered at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The show was authored by Stacey Mancine, Daniel Koloski, and Simon Gray. It was directed by Michael Bahar, and produced by Eric Braverman and Blue Line Arts, Inc. The cast included Marisa Mickel, Mark Sanders, Graham Stevens, and Vivienne Cleary.