Why is the scarlet letter called first sigificant pyschological novel in American literature?

It's not entirely accurate to call *The Scarlet Letter* the first significant psychological novel in American literature. While it's certainly one of the earliest and a highly influential example of psychological exploration in American fiction, there were other works before it that delved into the inner lives of characters.

Here's why *The Scarlet Letter* is often considered crucial in the development of psychological novels in America:

* Focus on Inner Life: Hawthorne delves deeply into the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of his characters, particularly Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale. This focus on their internal struggles and the impact of societal pressures on their psyches was groundbreaking for its time.

* Exploring Guilt and Shame: The novel explores the psychological effects of guilt and shame on the characters, particularly Dimmesdale's descent into self-destruction. This theme was rarely explored in American literature before *The Scarlet Letter*.

* Complex Characters: Hawthorne's characters are not simply good or evil. They are flawed, complex individuals with conflicting desires and motivations, making them feel more realistic and relatable.

* Psychological Symbolism: The scarlet letter itself becomes a powerful symbol of Hester's guilt and shame, but it also represents broader themes of societal judgment, hypocrisy, and the complexities of human nature.

However, there were other novels published before *The Scarlet Letter* that explored psychological themes to some degree:

* "The Last of the Mohicans" (1826) by James Fenimore Cooper: While primarily an adventure novel, it delves into the inner turmoil of characters like Hawkeye and Uncas.

* "The Red Rover" (1827) by James Fenimore Cooper: This seafaring adventure also features characters who struggle with internal conflict and morality.

* "The Pathfinder" (1840) by James Fenimore Cooper: Again, the novel goes beyond simple adventure and explores the psychological complexities of its characters.

Therefore, it's more accurate to say that *The Scarlet Letter* is a pivotal work in the development of psychological novels in American literature, rather than the absolute first. Its depth of character exploration, focus on inner struggles, and rich symbolism made it a groundbreaking text that paved the way for future writers to delve even deeper into the human psyche.