霍桑 红字 scarlet letter 英文 情节介绍 人物介绍 书籍摘要
名著速览《红字》故事内容梗概简介
名著速览《红字》故事内容梗概简介(美国)霍桑著[故事梗概]海丝特·白兰是个年青漂亮的女子，出生于英格兰的一个古老的世家。
她有深黑的眼睛，浓密而乌亮的头发，端正而美丽的五官，身材细长，给人以深刻的印象。
她嫁给一个年老的学者罗格·齐灵窝斯。
当时正值英国向美国移民时期。
她的丈夫决定定居到美国波士顿。
他先把妻子送去，自己留在英格兰处理未了的事务。
可是，罗格过了两年才去美国。
这时白兰却和一个年青的牧师犯了通奸罪，并生下了一个女孩。
按当时清教徒的法律，犯了通奸罪，必须在胸前佩带红A字，处以示众的惩罚。
正当白兰从监狱被带到枷刑台示众那天，罗格来到美国。
他是个年纪衰老、矮小的男人，有着苍白瘠瘦的学者般的面孔，晦暗的眼睛；他的左肩比右肩高一些，穿着怪模怪样的衣服。
他一眼就认出了自己的妻子，一种辗转不安的恐怖，犹如毒蛇急剧地缠住了他的身子，他的脸色阴暗了。
但就在这一刹那间，他又以意志力抑制住了自己。
当他发觉白兰也认出他时，他缓慢而平静地举起他的一个手指，在空中作了一个手势，接着又把手指压在他的唇上，那意思是说叫她不要声张。
海丝特·白兰被带回监狱后，罗格以医生的身份去探狱。
他要白兰说出奸夫的姓名，她不肯说，却公开对罗格说，她不爱他，在他那里她感觉不到爱情。
罗格也承认说：“我们彼此害了对方……我把你含苞的青春和我的衰朽结成了一种错误而不自然的关系。
”他向白兰提出一项交换条件，即白兰可以保守她奸夫的秘密，但同样要保守他的秘密，在人前不能承认他们是夫妻，而要说她丈夫已死了，因为他不能“遭受一个不忠实女人的丈夫所要蒙受的耻辱”。
白兰同意了。
于是，罗格便以医生的身份定居下来，暗中他在察访白兰的奸夫，以便进行报复。
白兰的情人丁梅斯代尔是个年青的牧师。
他有洁白高耸而逼人的前额，棕色忧郁的大眼睛；他的嘴，除非是用力压抑着的时候，总是容易颤抖，这既表示出神经质的敏感，同时表示出自我抑制的巨大力量。
他毕业于英国牛津大学，学识渊博，既有炽热的宗教感情，又善于辞令。
_红字_中的人物丁梅斯代尔形象解读
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２２ － １６７ ＣＮ１４ － １０３４ ／ Ｉ
名作 欣赏
比较文学
筅
不同文化烛照下的一对“倔”老头
—— —愚公与桑提亚哥的文化蕴含比较
□张思莉（临沂师范学院文学院， 山东 临沂 276005）
关键词：《愚公移山》 《老人与海》 愚公 桑提亚哥 文化蕴含 摘 要：愚公和桑提亚哥作为中西文学的两个经典人物，二者既存在精神气质上的相似性，又存在着文化蕴含上巨大 的差异性。相似性主要体现为“知其不可为而为之”的人生理念；差异性主要体现在三个方面：人物生存背景“山”与“海”背 后的文化蕴含的不同；人物的责任义务本位和个体本位的不同；结局的喜剧性与悲剧性的不同。
齐灵握斯（Ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇｗｏｒｔｈ）是红字的制造者。他那 丑陋的外貌和畸形的躯体，正是他丑陋和畸形的灵 魂的写照。他选择了让丁梅斯代尔活着受煎熬的复 仇手段，实际上成了阻止他赎罪的恶魔。他和海丝特 的结合虽然出于他追求家庭温暖和个人幸福的一己 之私，但毕竟是一种爱，原也无可厚非；但当这种爱 转变成恨，把复仇作为生活目标，不惜抛弃“博爱”的 基督精神，以啮噬他人的灵魂为乐之后，反倒由被害者 堕落成“最坏的罪人”，不但在失去复仇这一生活目标 时结束了自己的生命，而且死后也不会得到新生。
教对人们精神、心灵和道德的摧残。 文中的四个人物性格与命运各不相同。海丝特·
白兰（Ｈｅｓｔｅｒ Ｐｒｙｎｎｅ）佩带的是有形的红字。她出身 没落的世家，父母贫穷而正直。她的不幸的婚姻，加 之两年中丈夫音讯皆无。谣传他已葬身海底，这个孤 苦无依的少妇与才貌相当的牧师丁梅斯代尔的爱情 便显得合情合理。事情败露后，她被迫终身佩戴红 字，为了爱人的名声，她独自承担了全部罪责与耻 辱。出于对他的眷恋之情，她不但在他生前不肯远离 他所在的教区，就是在他死后，仍然放弃了与女儿共 享天伦之乐的优越生活，重返埋有他尸骨的故地，重 新戴上红字，直到死后葬在他身边，以便永远守护、 偎依着他。这个勇敢的女性还精心刺绣那红字，着意 打扮她的小珠儿，不仅捍卫自己教养她的权利，而且 尊重孩子狂野的天性，努力培养她成人。在作者的笔
红字_英文版
Theme of the work: Sin
The experience of Hester and Dimmesdale recalls the story of Adam and Eve because, in both cases, sin results in expulsion and suffering. But it also results in knowledge—specifically, in knowledge of what it means to be immoral. For Hester, the scarlet letter functions as "her passport into regions where other women dared not tread", leading her to "speculate" about her society and herself more "boldly" than anyone else in New England. As for Dimmesdale, the "cheating minister", his sin gives him "sympathies so intimate with the sinful brotherhood of mankind, so that his chest vibrate[s] in unison with theirs." His eloquent and powerful sermons derive from this sense of empathy.The narrative of the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is quite in keeping with the oldest and most fully authorized principles in Christian thought. His "Fall" is a descent from apparent grace to his own damnation; he appears to begin in purity but he ends in corruption. The subtlety is that the minister's belief is his own cheating, convincing himself at every stage of his spiritual pilgrimage that he is saved.
小说红字(英文版)
C7&C8:the government‘s hall & the elf-child
4
and the minister
Dimmesdale appeared to be wasting away and suffered from mysterious heart trouble. Chillingworth attached himself to Dimmesdale and lived with him so that he could provide his patient with round-the-clock care .Roger detected the minister as the lover and kept haunting his mind and soul.
C12:The minister’s vigil One night, Hester and Pearl encountered Dimmesdale at the town scaffold, trying to punish himself for his sins. Hester and Pearl joined him, and the three link hands. Dimmesdale refused Pearl’s request that he acknowledged her publicly the next day.
His four major romances or novels
written between 1850 and 1860
The Scarlet Letter《红字》 (1850)
The House of the Seven Gables 《七个尖角阁的房子》 (1851)
红字The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet LetterIn the novel The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne’s character Arthur Dimmesdale descends from his priestly celibacy into immorality through his elicit love affair with Hester Prynne. Hester refuses to give the name of her lover up and through her secrecy the descent of Dimmesadele begins. Although in the book Hester is the only one convicted of this crime, due to her inability to hide her pregnancy; Dimmesdale constantly condemns himself. Throughout the years after the discovery of Hester’s affair, the priest continues to spiral downwards into ultimate guilt-filled depression. He continues to grow ill and with the help of Roger Chillingworth continues to be haunted by his sin. His own lashings only contribute to this deterioration. A victim of love and human weakness, the priest loses his life to shame. Dimmesdale’s repentance and suffering make him the ultimate tragic hero. His actions condemned by society and his faith, Dimmesdale tries to receive an equal punishment, one as severe as his lovers, through his own remedies. Yet his efforts prove worthless and even destructive. His only door out is confession.In the named movie The Scarlet Letter, Hester reunited with Dimmesdale. They together with Pearl moved outside the community and lived happily ever after. Comparing with this end with the original end in the novel, I prefer the original end. Because sometimes the tragedy more impressive. Dimmesdale’s confession at the end of the novel, on thescaffolding, his grief is released and his supreme satisfaction allows the ultimate release; death. Dimmesdale’s affair was truly an act of love, yet the strict Puritan society in which he lives in and the rules in which he lives by did not allow him to openly express his sin without fear of total reprimand and disapproval of the people. His hidden sin presses upon his back, and the weight of his pain is too much. In facing his responsibility and confessing, it is easy to see Dimmesadle as the tragic hero of Hawthorne’s Th e Scarlet letter.Destroyed by Chillingworth lie and guilt, Dimmesdale dies in Hester's arms, and some see a scarlet A on his chest. Destroyed by his single-minded quest for vengeance, Chillingworth bequeaths his vast estates to Pearl, who leaves America to live abroad, depriving America of all she represents. The book ends with an allusion to Andrew Marvell's poem "The Unfortunate Lover," in which the lover lives on in story. So does Hester Prynne, perhaps the first fully realized female character in American fiction, whose meanings continue to attract new readers.Although criticism of The Scarlet Letter for a long time took Dimmesdale as the central character, it has more recently knowledge what was well understood in Hawthorne's own time, that Hester is protagonist and center. The narrator allies himself with her and, despite occasional adverse judgments, devotes himself to her cause. His cause as narrator is to obliterate her obliteration, to force the reader to acceptHester's reading of her letter as a badge of honor instead of a mark of negation. The narrator forces us, just as Hester forces her Puritan townsmates, to see her as a good woman on her own terms. In contrast to the two distorted male personalities who counterpoise her-the one obsessed with revenge, the other with his own purity-Hester appears almost a miracle of wholeness and sanity. While these men struggle with their own egos and fantasies, she has real battles-to maintain herself-respect in a community that scorns her, to stay sane in solitude, to support herself and her child, to raise that child to normal adulthood despite so many obstacles. Curiously, though she has been cast out of society, Hester remains very much in the world, whereas Chillingworth and Dimmesdale at the very center of society, are totally immured in their self-absorption. In her inner integrity and her outer responsiveness, Hester is a model and a counterstatement.As its title suggests, the book is about labeling, about the Puritan and later the American desire to eliminate ambiguity, to get the meanings right. The tale shows that even so simple a label as the first letter of the alphabet is full of burgeoning meanings dependent upon changing contexts. After Hester's competence and usefulness to the community become evident, some think the letter stands for "able." When an A appears in the sky at Governor John Winthrop's death, they think it stands for "angel." Since historical Puritans convicted of adultery were made towear the letters AD on their sleeves, critics have noted that these are Dimmesdale's initials and concluded that the A also represents Arthur. Anne Hutchinson of the Antinomian Controversy is explicitly mentioned in the text, so the letter also represents Anne and Antinomian. Readers may well conclude that the A can mean almost anything, even America, where we still struggle to rein scribe the labels that others put on us.Bruce Granger states that “ev en though Arthur Dimmesdale does not move down center until late in the action, The Scarlet Letter is finally his story and, what is more important, that he is a tragic hero… Hawthorne's allegorical romance centers on a good man's struggle with and eventual victory over the guilt he experiences after committing lechery.” (Granger, 1). In the end this holly sinner steps out from behind his lies and deception, even against the grain of the Puritan society, in order to actually become the pious person he had fooled everyone into believing he was. Trapped in society’s grasp, filled with remorse and tossed about by the harsh sea of sin; Dinnesdale pushes through with honesty and became the tragic hero of Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.。
英美文学欣赏资料-红字the scarlet letter-精选文档
Story Synopsis
Years later, the husband Chillingworth came to the town and found out the whole truth, and he operated an horror revenge on Dimmesdale, with hiding his own true name. Yet, as the story going, Hester and Dimmesdale became sympathetic figures, while Chillingworth was a devil at last.
The Scarlet Letter
-----Nathaniel Hawthorne
19th century American Romanticism Hawthorne's novel
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Novelist and short story writer, a central figure in the American Renaissance. Nathaniel Hawthorne's best-known works include The Scarlet Letter (1850) and The House of the Seven Gables (1851). Like Edgar Allan Poe, Hawthorne took a dark view of human nature.
Book review and summary
The Scarlet Letter represents the height of Hawthorne's literary genius .It remains relevant for its philosophical and psychological depth, and continues to be read as a classic tale on a universal theme.
《红字》的读后感英文
《红字》的读后感英文The Scarlet Letter is a classic novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is a historical fiction set in a Puritan society in the 17th century. The novel is a tale of sin, guilt and redemption that explores themes such as morality, religion, and society. The Scarlet Letter made a lasting impression on me after reading it.The story’s main character is Hester Prynne, a young woman who is condemned to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest as a punishment for having an extramarital affair. The “A” stands for adultery and serves as a constant reminder of her sin. Despite her shame, Hester raises her daughter Pearl alone, refuses to reveal her lover, and develops her own sense of self.Throughout the story, I was impressed by Hester’s strength and courage. She took responsibility for her actions and never gave up despite the harsh punishment she faced. Hester persevered and kept her dignity even when the Puritan society shunned her. Her character is what makes this book such a powerful and memorable read.The novel also addresses the theme of hypocrisy. The Puritan society is portrayed as hypocritical as they have their own secrets and sins, yet they condemn Hester without mercy for hers. This hypocrisy shows how easily society can judge and condemn others without taking a closer look at themselves.Another important theme in the novel is sin and redemption. Hester’s journey of guilt and remorse ultimately leads to her redemption as she finds peace within herself and forgiveness fromothers, including her daughter.Overall, The Scarlet Letter is a fascinating and thought-provoking novel that delves deep into human nature, morality, and society. Hawthorne’s writing style portrays the Puritan times realistically, and his vivid descriptions of the characters and setting make the story come alive. It is a powerful commentary on the importance of societal norms and the pressure to follow them.Reading The Scarlet Letter made me question my own beliefs, morals, and values. It made me realize the importance of self-reflection and the consequences of our actions. This novel has left a significant impact on me, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a compelling and insightful read.One of the most striking aspects of The Scarlet Letter is its use of symbolism. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne employs numerous symbols to convey key themes and ideas. The scarlet letter itself is perhaps the most prominent symbol, representing not only Hester's sin but also her strength and resilience. The scaffold, where Hester is publicly shamed, serves as a symbol of the Puritan community's judgment and the rigid, unforgiving nature of their religion.Another symbol that stands out is Pearl, Hester's daughter. Pearl is portrayed as a wild and sometimes sinister child, reflecting the darkness and complexity of Hester's past. Yet she also represents hope, freedom, and the potential for change. Pearl is a constant reminder to Hester of her own sin and a catalyst for her journey toward redemption.Hawthorne's masterful use of symbolism adds depth and richnessto the novel's themes. It allows the reader to delve deeper into the characters' inner lives and the social structure they inhabit. The symbols also serve as a way for Hawthorne to comment on the human condition as a whole, particularly the complex and often contradictory nature of our emotions and experiences.While The Scarlet Letter is undeniably a product of its time and place, its themes and insights remain relevant today. The novel speaks to the timeless human struggles of guilt, shame, forgiveness, and acceptance. It is a reminder that even in the face of dire circumstances, we can find strength and hope within ourselves.In a world where social media and public shaming have become all too common, The Scarlet Letter continues to offer a powerful critique of the harsh judgment and hypocrisy that can plague human society. It is a reminder that the path to redemption often requires not only personal reflection and transformation, but also a willingness to challenge the norms and expectations of the cultures we inhabit.。
霍桑 红字
Four of his novels are considered as the most significant ones.
The Scarlet Letter (1850), which is often considered the first American psychological novel.
纳撒内尼· 霍桑:象征主义与讽喻寓言的代表
纳撒内尼· 霍桑是浪漫主义时期美国最具天赋的小说 和短篇故事作家.他开创了美国文学史上"象征浪漫 主义"的创作手法.作为生活在19世纪中期的浪漫主 义作家,霍桑深受三种思想的影响:清教主义,超验主 义和神秘主义.这种矛盾形成了他对社会的怀疑态度, 决定了他的写作风格并使他成为象征主义大师.他的 主要作品反映了他的思想,体现了他的讽喻的创作手 all
Ｔhank you !
The evaluation of “The Scarlet Letter”
在霍桑的作品中，对十九世纪的宗教控制 下的思想充满了随处可见的矛盾。这篇他 最著名的《红字》即为鲜明的一例。对于 霍桑的评价，有人说他在作品里体现了对 于宗教的极其复杂与矛盾的心态，从而体 现在作品中，最后的结局总是带着那种宗 教式的空虚感。但他并没有过多沉浸于对 宗教本身的探究上，而是以此做为背景， 极其深刻地展现了"人的精神力量"。
a visit to Italy resulted in the novel The Marble Faun (1860).
Critic of the film “The Scarlet Letter”
影评 ：
影片《红字》是根据霍桑名著改编的爱情电影，它基 本上继承了原著的精神。这样，也就使这部影片不再 仅仅只是一部普通的爱情悲剧，而是揭示了17世纪宗 教制度对人性的迫害，特别是教会、夫权与女性的压 迫。《红字》曾被多次搬上银幕与舞台，但不可否认， 这一次的改编最为成功。导演为影片注入了新的社会 内容，在批判旧制度的同时，对当代社会的道德沦丧， 人权低下，人性泯灭亦带有相当的揭露和讽刺，具有 深刻，尖锐的现实意义。 影片以新英格兰殖民时期信奉加尔文教的清教徒的移 民生活为背景，着重插写了当时在严酷的政权统治之 下人民的苦难生活。宗教在人们思想和生活上刻下了 深深的烙印，以至于社会道德平庸低下，面对肆意的 恶势力，人们不敢反抗。这种对心灵的摧残和对人性 的压抑，通过女主人公的坚定反抗而更加突出，两者 互相映衬。为了造成浓厚的宗教气氛，导演对道具、 布景、服饰的要求十分严格，演员的表演更是捏拿分 寸，精益求精。光影的运用和明暗的处理，是这部影 片独特的艺术技巧。影片采用阴暗色调，以冷色为主， 造成沉重，压抑的气氛，即使是晴空万里，也采用背 影光处理，造成一种单调、灰暗的生活气息，烘托影 片的主题。
英国文学期末论文---霍桑和《红字》
Hawthorne and The Scarlet LetterAbstract: This thesis attempts to expound Hawthorne"s employment of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter through the analysis of the scarlet letter "A", the characters and the settings. It also explores Hawthorne"s 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 Hawthorne"s 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 Hawthorne"s psychological conflicts, which are sources of multi-layered symbolic meanings. In this part, Hawthorne"s techniques, especially his symbolism, is further investigated. Meanwhile, it raises issues that need further exploration. Hawthorne"s 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 conflictsHawthorne is the first American native writer to take local materials, scenery, people, their lives and thoughts into his conscious creation and thus gain anundying 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 Hawthorne's 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 Hawthorne's 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. “Whenstrangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter-and none failed to do so, they branded it afresh into Hester’s 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.Ⅰ. About Hawthorne’s 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 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. This point is very important because Hawthorne is frequently credited with portraying Puritanism in this novel in a remarkable authentic and convincing manner.Thirdly，Hawthorne's 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 profoundlydifficult to uncover.Ⅱ.The symbolism of the Scarlet letter “A”The tragedy of The Scarlet Letter has mainly sprung not from the intolerant Puritan society"s 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 Hester’s 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, Hester's 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. Hester’s charitable deeds and quiethumility 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 Hester’s sin, her lonely life, and her ability. In time, even the Puritan community sees the letter as meaning "Able" or "Angel." Her sensitivity with society's 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 world's 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.〔4〕liu Feng. “A Pietist, or Sceptic---On Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Puritanism Thought”. Chang Chun University of Science and Technology (Social Sciences),Vol.18,Mar.2005,No.1:P47.〔5〕Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter .青岛：青岛出版社，2004.P42.〔6〕Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter .青岛：青岛出版社，2004.P43.〔7〕Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter .青岛：青岛出版社，2004.P147. 〔8〕张丽君.“Hester As a Rebel Against Puritanism”. Journal of Hulunbeir College,No.2 Vol.7,Sept.1999:P85.〔9〕Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter .青岛：青岛出版社，2004.P129. 〔10〕liu Feng. “A Pietist, or Sceptic---On Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Puritanism Thought”. Chang Chun University of Science and Technology (SocialSciences),Vol.18 No.1,Mar.2005:P48.〔11〕张雅琳.“The Scarlet Letter---An Accusation Against Puritan Law.” Journal of Jinzhong Teachers College,Vol.17 No.4,Dec.2000:P41.〔12〕 Emory Elliott, General Editor. Columbia Literary History of the United States. New York: Columbia University Press, 1988.〔13〕 Horton, Rod W. and Herbert W. Edwards. Backgrounds of American Literary Thought [M]. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentic-Hall, Inc, 1974.〔14〕 Ye Chunli .“Hawthorne’s Thoughts in The Scarlet Letter”. Journal of Bingtuan Education Institute,vol.10 No.3,Sep.2000.〔15〕姚乃强译.红字（M）.南京：译林出版社，1996.。
红字读书报告（英文版）
红字读书报告（英⽂版）A Reading Report of The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Nathaniel Hawthorne (July 4, 1804—May 19, 1864) was an American novelist and short story writer. He was a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation’s colonial history. His four major novels were written between 1850 and 1860, and they were The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, The Blithedale Romance, and The Marble Faun.The story took place in Boston about 200 years ago. It narrated love affairs between three persons. They were Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth. Roger was an old misshapen man and a doctor. Hester was his wife, but she did not love him at all. Two years ago, Hester was sent alone across the ocean by Roger. However, Roger did not show up thereafter. While waiting, Hester fell in love with another man, Dimmesdale, who was a young minister and had a high position among ministers and was highly respected among his people in town. Hester and Dimmesdale loved each other, but their love was forbidden in that time. It was sinful because they committed adultery. And the secret was finally discovered because of Hester’s pregnancy. Due to this, Hester was punished by society with a letter A on her chest, which was considered as an evil and a shame. However, Hester refused to tell the name of the father even when she was asked to stand on the scaffold. And she chose to bear all the shame and punishment by herself. At the same time, Roger Chillingworth appeared and tried to take revenge on the adulterer. As time goes on, Hester’s daughter, Pearl was seven years old. And Roger became a real devil. He pretended to live with Dimmesdale to treat his disease. Actually, he just wanted to revenge him. Finally, Dimmesdale was weaker and weaker. In the end, Dimmesdale told the truth to the folks on the scaffold that he was Pearl’s father, and then he died. Roger also died after one year because the revenge took his all energy and strength. Hester then lived alone in her cottage far away from the city by herself. Pearl became a rich woman and lived in a happy life. When Hester died, she was buried next to Dimmesdale. The two shared a single tombstone, with a deep colored letter A shiningbrightly.In my opinion, the mainline is around the letter A in this novel. As the chief symbol, it has various meanings in different plots. In the beginning of the story, the letter A means adultery. The story begins with the scene that Hester stands on the scaffold with the A on her chest, and it is the way of punishment for the crime of adultery. It is known that Hester does not love her husband, Roger Chillingworth. So Hester and Dimmesdale fall in love with each other. However, it is forbidden at that time. Due to that, Hester is punished by society with a letter A on her chest, which is considered as a shame.Her behavior is disgraceful and she is looked down upon by others as if she is a devil from the hell that commits a terrible crime. So the letter A represents adultery in the beginning. Then the letter A changes its meaning in next plot. After Hester is punished on the scaffold, the folks think she is a bad woman. They look down upon her and treat her in an unfriendly manner. So she chooses to live solitarily in her cottage, which is far away from the city and she has no friends in the world with Pearl being her only companion. It suggests that Hester is very lonely and alone. So the scarlet letter A is also a symbol of being alone and alienation. At last, the scarlet letter A changes its meaning into being able, admirable and an angel. 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 survives, the tenderness will leave her. So when Hester is abandoned by all of the people, she is so tough to make living by herself. Her needlework is very excellent and is very popular among people. Then she earns money by doing that. The scarlet letter A has turned its meaning to be able. How difficult for a woman to feed a family! But she did it. Besides, in order to expiate her sin, she tries her best to help others and does not need to get their return. Her charitable deeds and quiet humility have earned her a reprieve from the scorn of the community. And because of that, she is respected by all the people gradually. So the letter A represents not only a symbol of adultery, being alone and alienation, but also a symbol of able, admirable and angel.。