The Scarlet Letter is a novel by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne published in 1850 The novel tells the story of the character The Southern Lady Smiling Face of the South, and the fragments of their lives in the South. The novel takes place during the late 1800s in the American South where the social and economic conditions are difficult and the culture is highly influenced by the Bible The novel follows the story of Melissa and William as they try to navigate the challenges of life in the South including political and social issues as well as the trial of love and marriage The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of the culture customs and clothing of the time as well as its exploration of the theme of love, marriage and the power of the Bible The novel has been widely interpreted and analyzed, and has been named one of the greatest works of literature of all time.