论《红字》的清教观

1、论?红字?的清教观AbstratTheSarletLetter,NathanielHathrnesrepresentativerk,isalassialnvelinAerianliteratureinthe19thentury.ThenveldisplaysPuritanissgreatipatnpepleslifeandthught.ThisthesisillgiveapiturefpuritanslifeandidelgythrughtheanalysisfthePuritantnBstnandserelatedharaters,andintrduehtheunitiesinthetnar

2、edeeplyinfluenedbyPuritanis.eanhile,byanalyzingtheainharaterHester,thethesisillpresenttheharshnessandthestritpunishentinPuritansiety.InPuritanunities,heveritsasinillbepunished.ThethesisalspresentsHathrnesattitudetardsPuritanis.nnehand,heappreiatesthePuritanthughtandvalue;nthetherhand,hendensthenegat

3、iveipatfPuritansietynpeplesspirit.Keyrds:Puritanis,NathanielHathrne,TheSarletLetter,Bstn，Hester内容提要霍桑的代表作红字是19世纪美国文学史上的一本古典小说。红字表现了清教主义传统在人们思想上和生活上的烙印，使人们对18世纪的美国社会有了一定的理解。在当时，一切都受到宗教的束缚，宗教有着神圣不可进犯的权威。本论文通过对一些主要人物和波士顿小镇的分析向人们展示了清教徒的思想和他们的生活方式。交代了小镇上人们深受清教主义的影响。通过对主人公海丝特等人的分析提醒了清教社会的严酷以及严厉的刑罚制度。任何人无论

4、谁犯了错都要受到惩罚。霍桑在一定程度上也受到清教主义的影响。一方面他肯定了宗教思想与价值，另一方面批判了清教社会对人的精神的负面影响。关键词：清教主义；纳撒尼尔霍桑；红字；波士顿；海斯特hapter1.IntrdutinA.PuritansNathanielHathrnesTheSarletLetterasrittenin18thentury.ThesettingfTheSarletLetterisinthe17thenturyinBstn,Aeria.BefrepreedingttheanalysisfthePuritanisinthenvel,sefundaentaldefinitinsn

5、eedtbeestablished.herethePuritans?hendidtheyarriveintheNerldAeria?HabutthEiridelgyandlifestyle?Habuttheauthr?Puritanisthenaegiveninthe16thenturytthereextreePrtestantsithinthehurhfEngland.ThesePrtestantsthughttheEnglishRefratinhadntgnefarenughinrefringthedtrinesandstruturefthehurh.Theyantedtpurifythe

6、irhurh.Inthe17thenturyanyPuritansiigratedttheNerld,heretheysughttfundahlynealthinNeEngland.“ThePuritansdidntallreligiusdissent(hldingdifferentreligiusbelief).Theyinsistedthathighpsitin,andahieveentseresignsfeternalgrae,thatis,favurfGd,andtheyantedtfreGdsillntherestfankind.Puritantraditinalsinvlvedar

7、espetfrlearninghihledttheestalishentfshlsandthespreadfliteray.1(P238)Puritanisreainesthedinantulturalfreinthatareaintthe19thentury.B.NeEnglandArdingthistrialdata,in1620,theEnglishnarhy,aseagertberidfthePuritansasthePuritanseretberidftheKing,grantedagrupfPuritansahartertakeasettleentintheEnglishlnies

8、thatisntheNeEnglandfAeria.ThereereeniinentivesfrthePuritantvettheNerld,inludingeniupheavalinEurpeandtheprspetfakingaprfitinAeria,buttheirhiefinentiveasreligius:theyuldbeabletpratietheirreliginfreely.Sinlatefallse103settlerssailedntheayflerandarrivedinNeEngland.Thenin1628,prvkedbyKingharlesIsinreasin

9、gintlerane,anthergrupfPuritansfredabusinessrpratin,theassahusettsBaypany,frsettleentftheNerld.TheyarrivednapeAnn,justnrthandeastfhatisnalledBstn.Thirteenyearslater,abut1,000Englishsettlers,largelythePuritans,hadiigratedttheBstnarea.By1643,thereerese20,000inthegeneralareaftheassahusettsBaylny,akingBs

10、tnthelargestandthestprsperusPuritantninAeria.nsideringthelargenuberfallthesePuritansettlers,theiridedistributinandtheirstrngfaith,religiusanddailylifeintheneAerianlnies,espeiallyinBstn,asainlyfPuritanlr.Inadditin,religiusdtrinebeaeivilla,andtheruleftheleadersasabslute.hilethehlefNeEnglandaslargelyPu

11、ritan,itisthsehsettledinandarundBstn,hinfluenedAerianultureprfundlyandfhNathanialHathrnerte.Puritansidelgyandlifestylenthetherhand,PuritanidelgyisveryiprtantfrPuritansfrtheydesignedtheirlivesafterthat.Thepuritansbelievedintheajesty,righteusnessandsvereigntyfGd.Theyregardhiasnisientandniptent.Inntras

12、t,allhuanbeingseredepravedsinners.TheybelievedthatGdhadpredestinedsefthesefallenreaturesfrthegiftfsalvatin.Thisstatusftheeletedrnn-eletedsignifiedGdshsingfthseththegraefsalvatinastbeffered.ThePuritanstkthesripture,andthesernsasGdsnrds,hihtheyinterpreted,fllingtherksftheFrenhPeterRaus,inthestaurateay

13、,andexpetedallPuritanstlivestritlyfllingtheseparaeters.Itdidnteanthatsinnersuldsavetheselves,buttheeletuldiprvetheirsuls.TftheainpintsfPuritanthelgyarethevenantsfgraeandrk.ThevenantfgraerequiredafaithinGd,andthatGdhiselfgavetheelettgrasp.Thevenantfrk,nthentrary,dependednlynhuanatin.AlthughthePuritan

14、sbelievedinpredeterinatintheydidntaittheirGd-givenfate.Theyspenttheirhlelifetryingtfinduttheirdestiny,hetheritightbeheavenrhell.rk,evenifitdidntguaranteesalvatin,astheiraytexpresstheirfaithandtshtheirhpefrheaven.Everynehdidntrkasdeprivedfthehighralityandagdlife.Hever,Puritanspaiduhattentinttheiredua

15、tin.TheythughtthatnlythsehereabletreadtheBibleuldfindreligiustruth.TheBibleasreadandinterpretedveryauratelyandstritly.Andthistruth,thatastbefundbyaurateinterpretatin,assynnyusithagdlife.AlthughthePuritanshavebeenverystritinreligiusay,nthetherhandtheyuldbequitetlerant.Thegradeftleraneasdependenttthee

16、xtentftheapprpriatething.Frexapletheyndenedthedrunkard,butntthensuptinfalhlitself.Andtheydidnttabsexuality,aslngasitassexualitybeteenhusbandandifeandntextraaritalsexuality.ButthestritPuritandeasfarfrtlerant.Relatinshipbeteenenandenasverynstrainedandthatarehatadeadulterysuhabadsinintheeyesfeverynehin

17、theunitybelievedthattheirfateasntrlledbyGd.Publidisiplineandpunishentereusedtdisurageeveryneelsefrittingthesaeriersinastheffendingriinaldid.TheunityastfllthebelieffGdandtdtheirdutiesthebesttheyuld,yeteretheretritiizeandpunishallhdisbeyedthereliginrlas.hurhasthernerstnefthe17thenturylifeinNeEngland.E

18、verythingasverystritandeveryneasexpetedtfllthelas.Itasagainstthelanttattendhurhhereenandensatnppsitesidesthrughlngservies.ThePuritanlifestyleasrestrainedandrigid:Pepleereexpetedtrkhardandrepresstheiretinsrpinins.Individualdiffereneserefrnedupn.Eventhedark,sberPuritandressasditatedbythehurh.D.Hathrns

19、failybakgrundAsnefthestinfluentialRantinvelistsinAeriainthe19thentury,“NathanielHathrnesrksstlydesribethepeplesentalattitude,thughtntraditinandlifetragedyunderalvinistipressurebytheruellerialisdinatininthelnialperid.HathrneasbrnnJuly4,1804inSale,assahusetts.Sale,hishetn,haseverbeentheplaeherePuritan

20、isfresarerapantandseveralgeneratinsfhisanestrsarefanatiPuritans;therefre,therihPuritanisthughtfrhisfailyhasdeep-rtedeffetnHathrne.BeausePuritanisitselfnsthepliatedstatethatpsitivisandnegativisareexistent,HathrnehasdubtfulrreligiusattitudetPuritanis.Hathrneisinlinedtnservatininplitialthught,andhldspe

21、ssiisfrfuture.nnehand,heassailsPuritanriinalbehavirssuhasreligiusfanatiisandiperissibilitytheresy;nthetherhand,hetakesthereligiusbasireedastheriterintgnitinandjudgent.2(P65)Thentraditiveentalityistypiallyanddeeplyrepresentedinhisasterpiee“TheSarletLetter.HisfailyasfPuritanbelieffrgeneratinsandhadbee

22、nprinentintheareasinelnialties.HathrnekneBibleveryellandentthurhfrequently.henheasfur,hisfatherdiednavyage,butaternalrelativesregnizedhisliterarytalentandfinanedhiseduatin.AsabyheentttheEastSalehurh,hihasdesribedas“nthevergefUnitaris.DuringhisstudyintheBdinllege,anghislassatesereanyftheiprtantlitera

23、ryandplitialfiguresftheday:riterHratiBridge,futureSenatrJnathaniley,HenryadsrthLngfell,andfuturePresidentFranklinPiere.TheseprinentfriendssuppliedHathrneithgvernenteplyentintheleanties,allinghitietblasanauthr.Later,henheservedasansulinEngland,heattendedserviesataUnitarianhurhinLiverpl.But,ituldntber

24、etypialfraPuritanthatheuldntgetalngiththereligiusritualsanderenies,like,frexaple,funerals.HesiplyhadthesePuritanaversinsthatalreadyausedthePuritanstsplitfrtheAnglianhurh.Hesiplelyantedthaveasallregularinethatuldallhitfrgeteverything,hihasntiprtantthi.Therihlreffailyandlalhistryprvideduhftheaterialfr

25、Hathrnesrks.TheajrityfhisrkstakesAeriasPuritanpastasitssubjet,butTheSarletLetterusestheaterialtthegreatesteffet.HathrneperhapshsethisdarksubjettnveyhisnteptfrPuritanis.Heindiatesthathisainpurpseistpitureaayf“lifeintheSaleustHuse,thesatirial“theustHusebeaetheritiallyalaiedprlguetTheSarletLetter,ntbef

26、redesribed.hilentregnizedbyHathrnehiselfashisstiprtantrk,thenvelisregardedntnlyashisgreatestaplishent,butalsfrequentlyasthegreatestnvelinAerialiteraryhistry.Afteritaspublishedin1850,ritishaileditasinitiatingadistintiveAerianliterarytraditin.hapter2.PuritanisinthenvelA.ThesuaryfthestryThenvel,TheSarl

27、etLetter,isabutthestrugglethreepeplefaehiletryingtlivetheirlivesandfindhappinessinaPuritansiety.Ittldthestrylikethis.Intheearly1640s,HesterhasetthesalltnfBstn,assahusetts,frGreatBritain,hileherhusband,hillingrthhaslefttdealithsething.Butafterthen,thereisnnesabuthiandnbdyknhetherheisaliverntfrtyears.

28、ThenHesterandReverendArthurDiesdale,thetnspriest,engagesintheatfadulteryandprdueababygirlnaedPearl.AlthughnlyHesterknthatDiesdaleisthefather,shehasprisedDiesdalenttrevealhisidentity.Hesterisputndisplayinfrntftheentiretninrdertpunishher,andtalsserveasanillustratintthetnspeplefrsinning.Sheisthenputinj

29、ailiththebabyfrafenthsandfredtearasarletletterAhihstandsfrAdulteryfrever.Hestershusband,Rgerhillingrth,hhadbeenapturedbyNativeAerianIndiansnhisaytNeEnglandandheldinaptivityfrtyears,esapesandentersthetnfBstn.AfterlearningfhatHesterhaddne,hillingrthpsesasadtrandvstdisvertheidentityfHesterspartnerinsin

30、.Hesteragreestkeephistrueidentityaseret,t.Frainideafthisstry,itseasyfrustseethefatthatitexpsedglyanddespiablerepulsinfhuannatureandatthesaetieextlledglriussulbyprtrayingthedarkrealityunderPuritanisinthe17thentury.3(P92)Thrughthisnvel,theharatersandsituatinshavehelpedtdesribethePuritantnBstnandPurita

31、nis.B.Hester,nefthevitisfPuritanisFirstly,HesterPrynne,neftheainharaters,hinrdertpursuithernreallveisnvitedfadulteryandisndenedtearTheSarletLetter“Anherhestasaperanentsignfhersin.Indernsiety,Hesterhasdnenthingrng.Sheisbraveandfgraefulnature.SheisnthidehernfeelingandtlveDiesdalebravelyanditasin.Butin

32、thePuritansiety,Hestershuldhavekeptadherenetherhusband,evenshehadntabitlvefrhi.Andfurtherre,sheshuldkillhernaturallveithinher,insteadflettingitreleasedandittingsuhasinatBstn.AfterHesteritsthesin,thePuritansietyiediatelyenfreditslaagainsther.“HesterbetrayedherhusbandandentagainstthepriniplefhnestynPu

33、ritan,ssheustaepttheseverepenaltyinthePuritansietyatthattie.4(47)Besidesteartheredletter,sheustsufferpublishaenthesaffld.Thebeliefsfthegeneralpubliatthattieaneasilybesuedupinthefirstsaffldsene,hihalsgivesaprspetivefhatHesterPrynneustdealith.“nthesuerrninghenurstrybeginsitsurse,thattheen,fhthereerese

34、veralintherd,appearedttakeapeuliarinterestinhateverpenalinflitinightbeexpetedtensue.5(P42)Frthepubli,Hesterspunishentisreasnable.Theydntpayanypitynher,buttakeherpunishentasneayfausingtheselves.ItisatypialphenennfPuritanisthught.Andtheintrdutinftherds“Bstn,“rnhill,“Kingsintrdutinalsbringsttheindapitu

35、refhistriBstnandearlyAerianPuritanis.Bstn,astaunhPuritanialtn,isaralistiandglyplaeheretheitizensdressindrablrsandlakanyliveliness.EvenntheEletinDayhliday,theyanntrelaxandenjytheselves.HerethestneheartedPuritansareabuttdenuneHester.Sheisfredtstandnahighplatfr,alledsaffld,infullviefeveryne,asapublipen

36、anefrittingadultery.neftheensaid,“Attheveryleast,theyshuldhaveputthebrandfahtirnnHesterPrynnesfrehead.6(P43)Hstneheartedtheyare.LatertheffiialsentenedHestertstandfrthreehursntheplatfrfthepillryandfrtherestfherlife,tearTheSarletLetter“Anherbs.ThePuritanunitieserefredinatheratistateherethehurhandState

37、shareauthrity,andhavingequalrespnsibilityfrkeepinglaandrderinthelny.ThisisbasednthesialrderpituredintheldTestaent,andshlarlylergyensuhasJhnilsnandArthurDiesdale,theEnglishuniversitygraduates,explainit.EphasisisplaedntheBiblialvenant,hihprisedbedieneteletleaders.Theyere“agistratesinthePuritanlny.Suhs

38、ialrderhelpstexplainthatthedifferentprfessinsrepresentedbythedifferentharaters.Frexaple,theGvernr,ailitaryan,andtheinistersasseblednthebalnyverlkingthesaffld.TheSripturesdeanddeathfradultery,andthePuritanlaslselyflltheBiblialpattern.Thus,Hestersriefadulteryispunishedtdeath.Sineherhusband(Dr.Prynne)i

39、sreprtedtbedead,theagistratesextendtherhattheynsidertbegreatery.Thissenealsshstheeightfvaluesandralsupnsietyinthe17thenturyherepublipunishentasntnlyusedasapunishentbutasaaytdisuragethersfrittingthesaerie.TheunityasthekeyhelperinakingthispunishentbeauseitdidnthelpedtalienateHesterbuttfurtherherpain.T

40、hepunishentbrughtfrthfHestersunderlyingpain,HestersentfrtharythensheturnedhereyesdnardatTheSarletLetter,andeventuheditithherfingertassureherselfthattheinfantandtheshaeerereal.Thispainnlybrkesurfaene,yetthrughutthehlestryHesterustdealiththeshaeandetinalpainfTheSarletLetter.Thestrangersueditupbestitht

41、hequtatin,Thussheuldbealivingsernagainstsin,untiltheigniniusletterbeengravedupnhertbstne.NearintheendfhapterXIV;hillingrthsaystHesterthat,sineherfirststepintherngdiretin,“ithasallbeenadarkneessity7(P147)Hereferstthensequenesfheratin.HestersdisbedienetGdsillisheratfadultery,afearfulrdnPuritandays,frt

42、hisatagainstfidelityinarriageendangerstheverybasisandstrengthfthePuritanlife.HestersrebellintthePuritanisSendly,ifehaveaglipsefHestersstatefindandherattitudetardshersinduringherpunishentinsaffld;itisevidentthatHesterdesntfeelthatshehassinnedagainstGd.PartlythisissbeauseGdhasneverbeenaveryrealpresene

43、inherlife.Evenherlver,Diesdalejustreainsspirituallyinherind.HestershsherrebellinagainstPuritanisttheunity.Thisalsangetapprvedbyfllingstages.neis“herstrngprtestagainstherdaughterbeingtakenaayfrher.Antheris“herstandingutinhelpingherlver,theeakenedpriestDiesdaleagainsttheleeh,Rgerhillingrth.Hestersbrav

44、ely,inalargeextent,brughtuhsunlighttthesberPuritanialsiety.8(85)Frnething,shebreaksalafrlvefDiesdale.Franther,shepersistsinlvinghihenheisindanger.Infat,neaspetfPuritanisisaTrinityithabsluteper,ntrllingeverything.anhasnrealdeisinstakethingshihnerntherldarundhi,frGd-atHishi-illpletelydeidefrhi.Thereis

45、hpethrughthesarifiefthehrist.Butntallpeplearetbesaved.TheDtrineftheEletstatesthatGdhsesefrheavenandinthesaeanner,allstherstgthell.nedesntexatlyknhisdestinedfrheaven,buthldthegenerallyideathatreverendsaresentbyGdthelppeple.AsintheasefDiesdale,thehighlyreputableBstninisterthereisastrngfeelingthatsesai

46、ntedindividualsareertainlyfatedtgheavenard.InTheSarletLetter,partfDiesdalestrtureishisknledgefhisnsin,hihasntnfessed,illkeephifrheaven.Faithfulnessbeteenhusbandandifeisiprtant.ertainlyaandestinedfrheavenuldneveritadulteryasHesterPrynnedid.Sheuldntdsifsheishedt,beauseherndutisdeterinedaheadftie.Thent

47、,HesterandArthursatinareaffetedbypredestinatin.SineAdaandEva,anhaslstthepertakedeisinsfrhiself,frthe“riginalsindisbedienetGdsillintheGardenfEden.Sanhaslsttheperffreeill.Gdabslutelyakesallthedeisins.ButHesterdesntthinks.Shebelievesnehastherighttdeterinetheirndestiny.InrebellinagainstPuritanis,sheahie

48、veshergalandestunderstandthatthesietyisntfixedbyGdiniutablelabutissubjetthange.Sattheendfthestry,theauthrHathrnearrangesHesterbaktthetnhihshsthatHesterantstgivethepuritansietyabig-shfhervitryagainstthePuritanis.Shealsgivesthersreandreunderstandingfherlveflife.AlthughthePuritanbelievesthatanissavedby

49、faith,ratherthanbyrk,hihisalsseeninTheSarletLetter.verandveragain,Hesteraidsthsearundherhneedhelp.Sheespeiallyakesgreateffrtstnurseandsefrthepr.Hever,ftenthisgruprepaysherbytauntingherithbitterrds.AndintheffiialestiatinfthePuritans,itisipssiblefrHestertadvaneherstandingbyhelpingthers.D.Diesdalesatti

50、tudetardhissinInTheSarletLetter,DiesdaleandHesteritthesaesinbuttheysufferthedifferentpunishentandhavethedifferentattitudetardit.SinereliginassuhakeypintfthEirlives,anynehdiddisbeytheirgdaslkeddnupn.hatadereliginirniallyinthisstryisthatthedifferenebeteenpeplesattitudetardsthereverendandHester.Thereve

51、rendhhadittedthesaesinstillnhighreputatinbutHesteraslkeddnupnseverely.Diesdalesaid“befrethejudgent-seat,thyther,andthu,andI,uststandtgether!Butdaylightfthisrldshallntseeureeting!9(P129)ThereverendknshissinandantstbepunishedithHesterandPearl,yetntuntilhatheallsjudgentday.ThePuritansareintlerantfanyth

52、ingtheynsidertbeevil.Theirunity,Bstn,isanexperient,herethehristianrldisathingithinterestsintleranefevilustbetheirathrd.Hesterisfredtpenlyaepthershae.Diesdale,herlver,isabletavidpublishae.ButhenDiesdaleappearedagain,itseeedthatheassufferingfrprhealth.nereasnightbethathelabredlngandhardathisreligiusdu

53、ties,butantherreiprtantreasnasprbablythatheasplaguedbyhisnsiene,theknledgefhishyprisy.AnditisveryirnialthatasaPuritanauthritytdeterinetherssin,Diesdalehiselfisasinnerhhasittedadultery.ButheisanintransigentPuritanandnthinganakehihange-ntevendeath.HebeestheebdientfPuritanis,fllsrelselythananyphilsphyt

54、hathisrelatinshipithGdattersrethananythingelse,andthatheustnlyansertGd.HathrneusesDiesdaleasasyblfPuritanis.HepiksupandexaggeratestheflasinPuritanisandakesthebeeDiesdalesharateristis.DiesdalefeelsthatGdillpunishhifrhissinandthatheneednlyansertGdfrhissin,shekeepsitasaseret.Hetriestlivealifeasifnthing

55、hashanged,buthisguilteakenshiandendshiindeath.“Attheendfthenvel,hediedtragiallyinnfessinandatneentandbeaeavitiinreligiusnastiis.Therestraintfrreligininhuannaturentnlyreksthegd-peplelikeHesterbutalsruinsthedevutlergieslikeDiesdale.10(48)HeisthevitifthePuritansiety.AndantheraspetfPuritanisisthesurefGd

56、sill.ItisintheBible.ThePuritansdistrustnatureasaguidefrbehavir,hihjustexplainhyHesterandDiesdalefeelfreeinthefrestduringtheirtalk.UniversitytrainslergyensuhasDiesdaleandilsnfrabridge,Englandarehighlyrespeted,frtheyareellabletinterprettheeaningftheBible.David,Bathsheba,andNathantheprphetarentexatlyre

57、presentativefthehristianvirtuesffidelityephasizedbythePuritans.E.ThenfessininthePuritansietyInadditin,thePuritansgreatlyviethevaluefnfessin.ThefirstebersftheBstnPuritanhurharerequiredtakeapubliaknledgentftheirsins.Later,theneebersfthePuritangruparealledtnfesstheirsinsintheprivayftheinistersstudy.HHe

58、sterssarletsyblustdelighthervieers,frsheisnstantlynfessingttherldbydisplayingherletterfadultery!HunattrativetDiesdalethenfessingbe!Heanrkhiselfintanetinalstateinhihhefeelsthatatanyentheaynfesssuhashishuiliatininthepulpit,rhissreafrattentinnthesaffldintheiddlefthenight.But,afterhavingrelievedhisnsien

59、etseextentbythselngpreparatins,hethenretreatsfratuallytellinghissin.Hishiddensinburnsinsidehisbreast,thisrerseisintensifiedbythegadingfhillingrth,hhasnrealishtrevealDiesdaleasasinnerfhidingngregatin.Hisishisttrturehiiththughtsfpublishaeifdistrustindeisinsreahednlybythehead;thePuritansfeeltheneessity

60、funderstandingasaresultfspntaneusdeisiningfrtheheart.NtiethatDiesdalesgreatppularityasaspeakerstesfrhisnderfulabilitytexitetheiaginatin,nfirebuttheenthusiasfhishearers.Diesdalesgreatnessdesntappealslelyttheindhisgreatestsernsspeakttheheart.Finally,thefidelityinarriageandthesarednessfthefailyarebthst