英国文学期末论文---霍桑和《红字》.doc

Hawthorne and The Scarlet LetterAbstract: This thesis attempts to expound Hawthornes employment of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter through the analysis of the scarlet letter A, the characters and the settings. It also explores Hawthornes conflicting views on the world, and demonstrates that he is both an heir and a critic of Puritanism. Hawthorne also found much in transcendental thoughts to attract him, including its radicalism, its stress on the soul, the individual, self-reliance and independence.The introduction presents Hawthornes short biography, his achievements and position in American literature, and gives an account of the background and main content of story. It also introduces the use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter, to be discussed in more detail in the following chapters.The first chapter discusses the symbol of the color red and the multi-layered meanings of the letter A. The symbolic meanings of the letter change with the development of the story, and are different to various characters. Through symbols, Hawthorne presents the psychological aspect of the characters. The symbols are also used for the readers to study the psychological reactions of the victims and to probe into the depths of personality.The conclusion studies Hawthornes psychological conflicts, which are sources of multi-layered symbolic meanings. In this part, Hawthornes techniques, especially his symbolism, is further investigated. Meanwhile, it raises issues that need further exploration. Hawthornes influence in literature goes far beyond his time. The Scarlet Letter is an excellent example of romantic literature of the 19th century, a masterpiece of profound and lasting .significance. His portrayals of the struggle of the human soul have made him an outstanding figure in the history of world literature.Key Words：inner world，soul，sin，punishment，symbolism，puritanism，psychological conflicts Hawthorne is the first American native writer to take local materials, scenery, people, their lives and thoughts into his conscious creation and thus gain an undying fame for it. The Scarlet Letter is set against the harsh backdrop of the Puritan colony in 17th century Boston and insinuates with thick religious color in which Calvinism and mysticism are portrayed through the novel, which adds enormous charm and driving power to this classic work. The Scarlet Letter launched Hawthornes creation and success. The novel distinguishes itself from the other love stories in the nineteenth century and is called a psychological romance. This love story enables Hawthorne to reach a tragic vision: to explore the inner world of his created characters, to understand the inner necessity of everything they do, and thus to pity and forgive them in the very act of laying bare their weaknesses, showing how they branded sinners for life. The Scarlet Letter is without question a novel about sin and guilt, though, as we should expect of Hawthorne, it is not a simple matter to determine who, or what, is the subject of these themes. Are Hester and Dimmesdale the principle sinners, or does their suffering, if not their love, absolve them? If we assume that the novel is an allegory, involving significant episodes and issues from American history, particularly the Salem witch trials, then is it America itself that is guilty of great sin? If this is the case (and many critics feel that it is), then we should reverse the most obvious terms of guilt and sin that the novel presents and read the representatives of authority as the principal figures of guilt. Following this line of interpretation, we can see Hawthorne attempting to individualize national sin in the actual historical characters of Governor Bellingham and John Wilson. We can even take this reading one step further and see Hawthome attempting to absolve himself and his own family lineage when we recall that one of his own forefathers, John Hathorne, was a particularly cruel prosecutor during the witch hysteria. Closely related to the conflict of the individual and society is the theme of stability, change, and transformation. One of the important places where this theme is introduced is actually outside the proper narrative, in Hawthornes introduction, The Custom-House.Although Puritan society is unforgiving towards the sinful scarlet letter, their strictness improved the bearers of the sin. The scarlet letter was also an example of how Puritan society will always remember the sin. “When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter-and none failed to do so, they branded it afresh into Hesters soul.” A letter “A” but freshly green, instead of scarlet was created by her, showing how Hawthorne made a jest at the punishment Puritans put upon Hester. And the scarlet letter was also a toy to Pearl, something that she enjoyed. Hawthorne uses the scarlet letter to depict his feelings of the exaggerated emotions of the puritans and their overly dramatic punishments. I also find the symbolism in this novel is used quite skillful. The technique he uses makes his novel more artistic. . About Hawthornes writing skillsFirstly, Hawthorne arouses readers interest by intensifying his simple plot through a technique of psychological characterisation. Hawthorne seems to be influenced a lot by the sin and evil in his sense. He believes evil exists in human heart all the time. For example, in the novel The Scarlet Letter, the minister Dimmesdale tries to pretend how pure and pious he is. He wants to cover up the evil in his mind. Not only Dimmesdale wants to do like this, but also all the people in the world, because we are only human beings. And the evil just likes a mark which exists in our mind when we are born.Secondly, in Hawthornes mind, people who commit a crime must be punished, because people can get experience from this way. And also he supports people to tell the truth and not to offend. This point is very important because Hawthorne is frequently credited with portraying Puritanism in this novel in a remarkable authentic and convincing manner.Thirdly，Hawthornes characteristic use of ambiguity is both a central theme and a central technique of the novel. One of the most obvious problems when discussing The Scarlet Letter is determining the identity of the narrator. This difficulty is clearly intentional. In the second paragraph of The Custom-House, Hawthorne claims that he is merely explaining how a large portion of the following pages came into his possession, hoping to offer proofs of the authenticity of a narrative therein contained. Hawthorne proclaims himself only an editor, or very little more. Yet later he states that I have allowed myself nearly or altogether as much license as if the facts had been entirely of my own invention, and all he is willing to verify is the authenticity of the outline. Hawthorne renders this beautiful passage to remind the reader, seemingly at every turn, that meaning, or truth, will be profoundly difficult to uncover.The symbolism of the Scarlet letter “A”The tragedy of The Scarlet Letter has mainly sprung not from the intolerant Puritan societys imposition of false social ideals on the characters, but from their own inner world of frustrated desires. In this novel, the scarlet letter “A”, worn on Hesters bosom, is a symbol of her adultery against her husband Roger Chinllingworth. Put the letter “A” on her bosom and let her show to the public is the puritan way to treat her as a criminal. Hester is looked down upon as if she is the demon from the hell that commits a terrible crime. This letter is meant to be worn in shame, and to take Hester feel unwanted. Hester is brave enough to face the cruel reality. She is always with a mind of courage. She has been alone with her child for so long , with litter communication. Shame! Hopelessness! Loneliness! Hester has to wear the letter A day after day, seven years as for punishment and ill fame. This is the commonest way to explain the letter. But actually I think the scarlet letter “A” is a symbol of being able and admirable. It is not a praise of a Hester sinning, but a hymn on the moral growth of the woman when sinned against. The reasons are as follow. When a woman has lived through a difficult experience, her character changes a great deal. If she be all tenderness, she will die. If she survive, the tenderness will leave her. Hester raises her child for 7 years by herself. She does not tell others who is the father of her child. She refuses to confess the man just because he is a clergyman; he stands for clean and honest, stands for noble. Hester just wants to protect the man she loves. And also she realizes her sin. She does not choose to avoid her fault. On the contrary, she tries her best to atone for it. She helps others who are poor or sick as possible as she can. At last, she overcomes the shame of her sin through the purity and goodness of her soul. Over the seven years of her punishment, Hesters inner struggle changes from a victim of Puritan branding to a decisive woman in tune with human nature. When she meets Dimmesdale in the forest in Chapter 18, Hawthorne says, The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread.All in all, The Scarlet Letter is significant. Hesters charitable deeds and quiet humility have earned her a reprieve from the scorn of the community. The letter on her chest represents her work on earth , always helping others, without expecting any thanks. It shows the progressive possession of Hesters sin, her lonely life, and her ability. In time, even the Puritan community sees the letter as meaning Able or Angel. Her sensitivity with societys victims turns her symbolic meaning from a person whose life was originally twisted and repressed to a strong and sensitive woman with respect for the humanity of others. In her final years, the scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the worlds scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, yet with reverence, too. Since her character is strongly tied to the scarlet letter, Hester represents the public sinner who changes and learns from her own sorrow to understand the humanity of others. Often human beings who suffer great loss and life-changing experiences become survivors with an increased understanding and sympathy for the human losses of others. Hester is such a symbol. Hester is a strong admirable woman who goes through more emotional torture that most people go through in a lifetime.Bibliography:1余志远.英语国家概况.北京：外语教学与研究出版社,2000.P238.2史志康.美文学背景概观 M.上海：上海外语教育出版社,1998.P65.3朱锦锐.“The Puritan Flavour-Comment on The Scarlet Letter”. Journal of Changji University,Sept.2002,No.3:P92.4liu Feng. “A Pietist, or Sceptic-On Haw