The Scarlet Letter: Theme The Scarlet Letter is a fine example of a story written upon the theme of sin and redemption. Most of the sins are committed before the story begins. After seven long years of punishment, both by society and by themselves, the sinners gain redemption. As the story begins, Hester Pyrnne has already committed adultery with the Reverend Dimmesdale. Hester has a baby daughter, Pearl. Hester’s punishment by the community is to stand on the scaffold, a place of shame, for three hours and then wear a letter “A” for the rest of her life. Because of the letter, she is outcast from society and has to raise Pearl by