A somber and compelling tale of love, pride, and moral struggle, The Scarlet Letter is considered Nathaniel Hawthorne's masterwork. A story of passion and atonement in Puritan New England, Hawthorne's story grows out of a radical ambivalence to America's spiritual, intellectual, and imaginative heritage. This compilation of concise critical excerpts examines the work and provides a handy guide for students needing an introduction to Hawthorne and his writings. This new edition features an annotated bibliography, an index, and an introduction from noted scholar Harold Bloom.