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Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter uses the strict, judgmental world of 17th-century Puritanism as a backdrop to explore universal truths about guilt and absolution. The scarlet "A," which begins as a punishment, becomes a testament to Hester’s courage, challenging the idea that society alone gets to define one’s worth. The novel’s dark, introspective tone and complex characters ensure it lingers in the mind long after the final page.