Abstract
The star of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary fame has risen steadily through the years. During the century following the publication of The Scarlet Letter there was no temporary eclipse, no recession in the popularity of this New England prose writer, nor has critical opinion been wanting during this time. This interest has been sustained because in his works Hawthorne presented true moral sentiment with beautiful artistic design; he was, indeed, an artist of the True and the Beautiful.