At the time of its publication in the mid-nineteenth century, The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne included the subtitle, “A Romance”. However, the root of this novel, injustice against a female, seems anything but romantic. Hester is punished for being an adulteress who will not reveal the man that impregnated her. Her punishment is to don an embroidered letter A affixed to her clothing.

While Hawthorne’s treatment of Hester is generous given his vintage, I felt strongly that Hester needed a take-back opportunity. This story explores how this could play out as a feminist retelling.

https://issuu.com/wellreadmagazine/docs/well_read_magazine_march_2025/s/66585258

Entire issue: (my story starts on page 87) https://issuu.com/wellreadmagazine/docs/well_read_magazine_march_2025?fr=sMTQwNjgzMDAzNjQ