Hawthorne's writing is closely associated with Dark Romanticism, exploring the hidden sins and psychological complexity of human nature. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1825, he spent years in relative seclusion perfecting his craft. His first story collection, Twice-Told Tales (1837), established his literary reputation.
His masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter (1850), is considered one of the greatest American novels. Set in Puritan Boston, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, condemned to wear a scarlet "A" as punishment for adultery. Other major works include The House of the Seven Gables (1851), a gothic tale of a family curse inherited from the past; The Blithedale Romance (1852), a satire of utopian communities; and The Marble Faun (1860). His celebrated short stories, such as "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Minister's Black Veil," continue to examine the shadowy legacy of Puritanism in American culture.