Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part G (2017)

Abstract
This research paper explores Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter through the lens of E.M. Forster’s Aspects of the Novel. By analyzing the novel’s narrative structure, characters, and themes, the study delves into the ways in which Forster's six elements-story, plot, character, theme, rhythm, and fantasy-can be applied to understand the complexity of The Scarlet Letter. It examines how Hawthorne’s use of symbolism, particularly through the character of Hester Prynne and the scarlet letter itself, engages with Forster’s notion of character development and thematic depth. The analysis also considers the rhythm and fantasy within the text, linking Forster’s theories to Hawthorne’s exploration of guilt, redemption, and societal judgment. This paper provides a critical framework for understanding The Scarlet Letter as a novel that transcends its historical context to resonate with universal themes of identity and morality.