《红字》中的象征主义

In this novel, it will begin with the main characters, like Hester, Dimmesdale andPearl; the surroundings and environments, like prison and gallows as well as different phases of "A". Through these studies, we can have more knowledge of the writing techniques and the writer’s own profound thoughts.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts to the
College of Foreign Languages
Hebei United University
May 31st,2014
摘 要
象征主义作为一种文学流派，出现于19世纪末至20世纪30年代，是欧美现代派文学的一个重要分支。《红字》是霍桑的代表作，这部作品更是将象征主义运用的淋漓尽致，以细致入微的心理分析和寓意深刻的象征手法剖析人类的罪恶根源，揭示"人性恶"这一古老而永恒的主题。
《红字》以17世纪北美清教殖民统治下的新英格兰为背景，描写两个触犯清教戒律的教徒悔罪的心理历程。《红字》中，霍桑成功地运用多重象征，从不同的侧面暗示《红字》为主题。正因如此，《红字》被称为美国第一部象征主义小说，这种艺术手法对美国小说的发展起了极大的影响。
本论文将会从主要人物,海斯特，丁梅斯代尔，珠儿分别代表的象征意义；周围环境和自然环境，如监狱和绞刑架的象征意义，以及红字“A”在不同时期的不同含义，通过对这些象征主义的学习和研究，我们可以进而进一步了解霍桑娴熟的写作技巧和他本人深邃的思想。
Hawthorne'swriting skills can be summarized as follows:Hawthorneseems 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 novelThe 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 markthatexists inour mind when we are born. And in Hawthorne’s 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. Nathaniel Hawthorne is a great romantic novelist inAmericain the 19th century and is considered to be the first greatest American fiction writer in the moralistic tradition.Hawthorneis outstanding in literature skill, especially in handling symbolism. His work---The Scarlet Letteris notable for its symbolism and is regarded as the first symbolic novel in American literature.
Chapter 1 Introduction…………………...………...………….…….…………1
Chapter2LiteratureReview…………………………………………………2
2.1 Aim and Significance…………………………………………………………2
2.2 TheTheme of theNovel…………………………………………………2
Chapter4TheSymbolicMeaning ofSettings……...…………………….….………6
4.1 ThePrison and theScaffold…………...………………………….…………6
4.2TheMansion and theGardenofGovernor Bellingham…………...……………7
5.4 Pearl……………13
Chapter6TheSymbolicMeaning of theMinorCharacters…………….………...…15
Chapter7TheSymbolicMeaning of theNaturalPhenomenon…………….…….…16
5.1 Hester Prynne…………………...………...……………………….………10
5.2 Arthur Dimmesdale ………...………...……….…………………….…………11
5.3Roger Chillingworth…………...………...……………...………….…………12
关键词象征主义；清教主义；环境；人物
A
Symbolism, as a literary school, appeared at the end of 19th century until the 1930s and is one of the most important branches of modern literary school in European and American history.The Scarlet Letteris the representative work of Hawthorn, which employed the technique of symbolism to the full degree and throughthorough analysis and profound use of symbolism so as to explore theorigin of human being’s evil.At last the ancient as well as external theme of "evil of human being" is revealed and uncovered clearly and plainly.
Chapter3TheSymbolicMeaning ofDifferent A……………………………………4
3.1 Adultery……………………………...…………...…………...……………4
3.2 Alone and Alienation………………...………………………………….5
3.3 Able, Admirable and Angel………...…………………………….…………..5
Set on the background ofNew Englandthis was ruled as colony by Puritans, portrayed a couple of law-broken puritans, whose process of mentality is vividly elaborated in this great work.InThe Scarlet Letter, the writer employed many symbolisms successfully, and rendered the theme through different hints.Thus, this novel is regarded as the first novel holding thesymbolism, which executed great influence on the future development of American novel.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…...………...………...………...………...………..……20
C
Nathaniel Hawthornewas born inSalemin 1804. He was born ina prestigiousNew Englandfamily closely related with Puritan church; his ancestors attended the persecution of people belonging to different churches, such as Quakers. When he was born, his family declined. He was aware of his ancestors' misdeeds and thus"blackness ofHawthorne"formed. He thought that the reason of his family's decline is his ancestors' misdeeds. And he didn't agree with the optimism held bytranscendentalists towards human nature. He wrote lots of works on everlasting evil side in human nature.