- Introduction: The novel The Scarlet Letter begins with an account of how the book was written. The unnamed narrator, a surveyor at the customhouse in Salem, Massachusetts, found documents in the attic, including a manuscript bundled with a scarlet, gold-embroidered "A" patch. Written by a previous surveyor, the manuscript details events from around two centuries prior. After losing his customs post, the narrator decided to turn the manuscript’s events into fiction, producing The Scarlet Letter.
- The Story Begins: Set in 17th-century Boston, a Puritan settlement, the story opens with Hester Prynne, a young woman, emerging from prison holding her infant daughter, Pearl, and wearing the scarlet letter "A" as punishment for adultery. A townsman explains to an elderly observer that Hester's husband, a scholar who had sent her ahead to America, never arrived. Presumed lost, Hester, during his absence, had an affair resulting in her child. Despite public scorn and pressure, she refuses to reveal her lover’s identity.
- Hester’s Husband: The elderly observer is revealed to be Hester’s husband, who now practices medicine under the name Roger Chillingworth. Moving to Boston with the intent of revenge, he hides his identity from all but Hester, whom he swears to secrecy. Over the years, Hester supports herself as a seamstress and raises Pearl in isolation at the town's edge. When officials attempt to take Pearl away, young minister Arthur Dimmesdale intercedes on their behalf, allowing Hester and Pearl to remain together. Meanwhile, Dimmesdale’s health deteriorates due to mysterious heart trouble, leading Chillingworth to move in with him to investigate. Chillingworth soon discovers a hidden mark on Dimmesdale’s chest, confirming his suspicions of the minister’s involvement with Hester.
- Dimmesdale’s Suffering: Tormented by guilt, Dimmesdale secretly punishes himself. Over time, Hester’s humility and charitable deeds begin to soften the community’s disdain toward her. One night, Hester and Pearl find Dimmesdale on the scaffold, seeking repentance. Though they join him, he refuses to acknowledge Pearl publicly. That night, a meteor forms a red “A” in the sky. Hester, seeing Dimmesdale’s worsening state, begs Chillingworth to end his torment, but he declines.
- The Plan to Escape: Aware that Chillingworth may suspect her intentions, Hester arranges a meeting with Dimmesdale in the forest. They decide to escape to Europe with Pearl, planning to board a ship from Boston in four days. Overcome with relief, Hester removes her scarlet letter, but Pearl, nearby, does not recognize her mother without it. Later, Hester learns that Chillingworth has discovered their plan and booked a passage on the same ship.
- The Climax and Dimmesdale’s Confession: On the holiday before their planned departure, Dimmesdale gives an inspiring sermon. Afterward, he joins Hester and Pearl at the scaffold, confessing publicly and revealing a scarlet letter on his own chest before collapsing. Pearl kisses him as he dies in her arms.
- The Aftermath: With his revenge unfulfilled, Chillingworth dies within a year. Hester and Pearl leave Boston, and many years later, Hester returns alone to her cottage, where she resumes her charitable work. She occasionally receives letters from Pearl, who has married a European nobleman. When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale, and their shared tombstone bears a single scarlet “A.”