The Scarlet Stigma: A Drama in Four Acts

"The Scarlet Stigma: A Drama in Four Acts" by James Edgar Smith is a play inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter" that showcases the struggles of individuals caught in a web of societal expectations and personal despair. Set in Boston during Puritan times in June 1668, the play begins with a bustling tavern scene where rumors swirl around Hester Prynne as she faces trial for adultery. Her past is slowly unveiled, and the consequences of her actions ripple through the community. Roger Prynne reappears after a lengthy absence and grapples with his emotions upon discovering his wife's disgrace. The central conflict revolves around the characters' internal battles with love, morality, and the overwhelming pressure of societal judgment, setting the scene for a drama filled with intense emotions and moral complexities.