<human>:  Why did Hester Prynne wear the scarlet letter ‘A’?
<bot>: Hester Prynne wore the scarlet letter “A” because she was found guilty of adultery. The novel takes place in 16th century Puritan Boston. Hester Prynne was found guilty of adultery after having an affair with a married man named Arthur Dimmesdale. The novel follows Hester's life as she struggles to keep her secret while trying to raise her child, Pearl, in the midst of Puritan society.