In The Romantic Manifesto, Ayn Rand identified The Scarlet Letter as one of the greatest single works of Romantic literature. Ms. Zavarella examines why Miss Rand believed this, and analyzes the main characters' motives and actions, identifies the plot-theme and theme, and observes certain key stylistic elements of structure and symbolism in order to grasp how the novel achieves its unity. In so doing, emphasis is placed on the particular Romantic features of The Scarlet Letter, especially its integration of a fundamental moral theme with a superlatively dramatic plot conflict. By the end of the course, attendees will have a deeper appreciation for how and why Hawthorne's mastery of Romantic principles transforms a nineteenth-century tale of antiquated Puritan life into a universally relevant literary experience.