The book is titled The Scarlet Letter because the plot revolves around the events that occurred after Hester is forced to wear the Scarlet letter as a punishment for sleeping with a man while married. Hester’s punishment is to wear the scarlet “A” instead of being executed, the normal punishment for having sex while married to another man. The Scarlet Letter is what defines Hester from the rest of Puritan society. The letter she bears on her bosom is a red and gold design she created for herself in prison. It is important that the letter is scarlet, a shade of red, because red is the color of sin and danger something that Puritans do not condone. Hester has done something that should require death but is instead given a lighter punishment
