The Transformation of the Scarlet Letter

Since the novel was written in 1850 there have been over a dozen adaptations of the book. The story and theme has been carried over into popular culture and the movies and original text are still referenced today.

This timeline helps to understand the progression of the many adaptations of "The Scarlet Letter".

Timeline created by Madison O'Leary, December 2, 2012

March 1850

The Scarlet Letter (Novel)

This was the original novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is the story of Hester Prynne, the first woman to wear a scarlet letter embroidered onto her dress as a sign of shame.

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March 1896

The Scarlet Letter (Opera)

This was the first adaptation of the novel. It was written and put together by Walter Damrosch. Segments of the opera was shown at Caregie Hall in January of 1895 and was fully performed in Boston in 1896.

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March 1908

The Scarlet Letter (Film #1)

This was the first film adaptationof Hawthorne's work. It was a short (28 minute) silent black and white adaptation of the novel. The script was written by Gene Gauntier and directed by Sidney Olcott

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March 1911

The Scarlet Letter (Film #2)

This second film adaptation was a huge success. Though the film was a short (15 minute) silent film in black and white. It revived the book's success as aswell as the popularity and celebrity of the cast and crew.

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March 1913

The Scarlet Letter (Film #3)

This was the third film adaptation. Like the previous two it was produced in America as a silent drama, however it used Kinemacolor, some of the first film to contain any sort of color technology.

View on timeline

March 1917

The Scarlet Letter (Film #4)

This version was also filmed in the US. It was adapted as a screenplay by Carl Harbaugh whom also directed the picture. It too stuck to the original story and characters of the novel.

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March 1920

The Scarlet Letter (Film #5)

There is little known of this adaptation of the novel. It did follow the original story line and was a short representation of the book and the previous films.

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March 1922

The Scarlet Letter (Film #6)

This was the first adaption of the film to be produced outside of America. It was produced as a British film, directed by Challis Sanderson and it too was a silent black and white film. It strayed little from the original novel and the previous films.

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March 1926

The Scarlet Letter (Film #7)

This version is widely thought of as one of the most famous adaptations. Directed by victor Sjostrom and writeen by Frances Mirion, the film starred Lillian Gish as it's silent Hester Prynne

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March 1934

The Scarlet Letter (Film #8)

This adaptation was the first film to include sound and therefore dialogue it is thought of today as one of the most famous versions.

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March 1973

The Scarlet Letter (Film #9)

This was the first German adaptation of the novel. In german it is "Der Scharlachrote Buchstabe". The film was directed by Wim Wenders.

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March 1979

The Scarlet Letter (TV Series)

This was the first television adaptation. It was a miniseries that ran for four hour long episodes. It was produced by WGBH and was directed by Rick Hauser.

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Jan 1986 - Jun 2007

Roger's Version (Novel)

This novel is very loosely based on 'The Scarlet Letter'. Written by John Updike this book is about a theology professor, Roger. There are similarities throughout the book. It takes place in Boston with his wife Esther and an illegitimate child. The themes are that of forbidden love, sex, the young daughter, and religion, just as they are in Hawthorne's novel.

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March 1995

The Scarlet Letter (Film #10)

This is one of the most popular and well-known adaptations today. It is famous for having such stars as Demi Moore, however it only loosely follows the novel and has a completely different ending,

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March 2004

The Scarlet Letter (Film #11)

This is the only Korean adaptation. It does not follow the original story line, but has similar themes and the same title, in Korean "주홍글씨". It was directed by Byun Kyuk. It was very controversial for its imagery and its erotic violence.

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February 2007

Fucking A (Play)

Written by Suzan-Lori Parks, this play first went onstage in Houston, Texas. Parks follows the theme of The Scarlet Letter and even goes as far as to name her main character Hester. It is a twisted world of branding and unjust punishment. Hester has an 'A' branded to her skin because she is an abortionist.

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March 2009

The Scarlet Letters (Song)

This was the first song, excluding the ones with the opera, of this title. It is by the group Mudvayne. It is not about the story line or plot, but simply about the feelings of shame and isolation that are found within the novel.

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September 2010

Easy A (Film)

Easy A is a movie that, like the song, only follows the themes of the novel. It is set in modern day and is about a girl, Olive Penderghast, who loses her way and is shunned at her school when people believe she is too sexual. It is set in high school and uses the book of The Scarlet Letter as their class assignment, giving Olive the idea to sew the famous red "A" to all of her outfits.

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October 2011

When She Woke (Novel)

"When She Woke", written by Hilary Jordon, is the most recent adaptations of the novel. Set in the "not-to-distant future" the story follows the character of Hannah, who is convicted of murder because of her abortion. Instead of the scarlet letter being embroidered to all of her clothing, her skin is dyed red so that she cannot escape her "crime". This adaptation is the first to change so much and yet stay so true to the story and themes.

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The Transformation of the Scarlet Letter

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Event

When She Woke (Novel)

October 2011

"When She Woke", written by Hilary Jordon, is the most recent adaptations of the novel. Set in the "not-to-distant future" the story follows the...

More
Event

Easy A (Film)

September 2010

Easy A is a movie that, like the song, only follows the themes of the novel. It is set in modern day and is about a girl, Olive Penderghast, who loses...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letters (Song)

March 2009

This was the first song, excluding the ones with the opera, of this title. It is by the group Mudvayne. It is not about the story line or plot, but...

More
Event

Fucking A (Play)

February 2007

Written by Suzan-Lori Parks, this play first went onstage in Houston, Texas. Parks follows the theme of The Scarlet Letter and even goes as far as to...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #11)

March 2004

This is the only Korean adaptation. It does not follow the original story line, but has similar themes and the same title, in Korean "주홍글씨". It was...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #10)

March 1995

This is one of the most popular and well-known adaptations today. It is famous for having such stars as Demi Moore, however it only loosely follows...

More
Event

Roger's Version (Novel)

Jan 1986 - Jun 2007

This novel is very loosely based on 'The Scarlet Letter'. Written by John Updike this book is about a theology professor, Roger. There are...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (TV Series)

March 1979

This was the first television adaptation. It was a miniseries that ran for four hour long episodes. It was produced by WGBH and was directed by Rick...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #9)

March 1973

This was the first German adaptation of the novel. In german it is "Der Scharlachrote Buchstabe". The film was directed by Wim Wenders.

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #8)

March 1934

This adaptation was the first film to include sound and therefore dialogue it is thought of today as one of the most famous versions.

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #7)

March 1926

This version is widely thought of as one of the most famous adaptations. Directed by victor Sjostrom and writeen by Frances Mirion, the film starred...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #6)

March 1922

This was the first adaption of the film to be produced outside of America. It was produced as a British film, directed by Challis Sanderson and it too...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #5)

March 1920

There is little known of this adaptation of the novel. It did follow the original story line and was a short representation of the book and the...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #4)

March 1917

This version was also filmed in the US. It was adapted as a screenplay by Carl Harbaugh whom also directed the picture. It too stuck to the original...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #3)

March 1913

This was the third film adaptation. Like the previous two it was produced in America as a silent drama, however it used Kinemacolor, some of the first...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #2)

March 1911

This second film adaptation was a huge success. Though the film was a short (15 minute) silent film in black and white. It revived the book's success...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Film #1)

March 1908

This was the first film adaptationof Hawthorne's work. It was a short (28 minute) silent black and white adaptation of the novel. The script was...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Opera)

March 1896

This was the first adaptation of the novel. It was written and put together by Walter Damrosch. Segments of the opera was shown at Caregie Hall in...

More
Event

The Scarlet Letter (Novel)

March 1850

This was the original novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is the story of Hester Prynne, the first woman to wear a scarlet letter embroidered...

More
1896

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    The Transformation of the Scarlet Letter

    Since the novel was written in 1850 there have been over a dozen adaptations of the book. The story and theme has been carried over into popular culture and the movies and original text are still referenced today.

    This timeline helps to understand the progression of the many adaptations of "The Scarlet Letter".

    Timeline created by Madison O'Leary, December 2, 2012

    NaN of 19 stories

    When She Woke (Novel)
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