《红字》人物分析--专业英语八级作文
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摘要:海斯特·白兰是长篇小说《红字》中的女主人公——一位坚强、勇敢、善良并具有一定叛逆性格的女性形象。
本文将从她的勇敢和善良来分析这个人物.进而本文着重论述了海斯特对真爱的不懈追求和她在同时代女性中所独有的叛逆性格。
Hester prynne is the heroines in the novel the scarlet letter- a strong, brave, kind and have a rebellious character image of womenLike. Her courage and good will come from analyzing the character. In this paper Hyster heavy discussed in constant pursuit of true love and she in contemporary women Unique rebellious character.关键词:勇敢,善良,追求真爱,叛逆一、引言自古以来.男尊女卑的传统思想在人们的观念中根深蒂固。
传统的文学作品中也不乏对女性的藐视。
19世纪美国女权运动高涨,女权斗争进行得如火如荼。
20世纪.女权主义文学批评诞生于欧美。
霍桑以其小说《红字》中海斯特.白兰的新女性形象,吸引了女权主义者。
小说讲述的是一个发生在17世纪中叶早期马萨诸塞殖民地波斯顿的恋爱悲剧。
在小说中.随着故事情节的展开.主人公海斯特的反抗精神也随之强烈.并以其独特的反抗方式展现给世人。
二、女性中的勇敢者1、勇敢面对凌辱海斯特因通奸罪而被惩罚入狱、被当地村民唾弃.她并未因此而表现出任何脆弱。
就如文中所描述:“现在我们认为贵妇人的特征是纤巧、空灵和难以描写的优雅.而在当时却是某一种庄严的仪态。
如果按照过去对于贵妇人的解释,那么可以说,海斯特从不曾像从监狱里走出来时那么更似贵妇人。
优秀毕业论文(设计)剖析霍桑《红字》中红字A所暗含的象征意义 Hawthorne’s employment of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter摘要《红字》一书使美国作家霍桑誉满全球。
该书采用的主要艺术写作手法是象征主义,象征主义不仅贯穿了小说的始终,同时也为其增添了经久不衰的魅力。
本文拟从红字“A” 、人物及场景这三个方面来重点剖析霍桑《红字》所暗含的象征意义。
本文先阐述红色的象征意义及红字“A”的多重含义。
然后着重分析场景的象征意义,例如绞刑台、监狱、野蔷薇丛、阳光、小溪、森林等场景的象征意义。
最后探讨小说中人物的象征意义,并深入研究霍桑象征意义创作的技巧。
霍桑对文学的影响远远地超越了他所处的时代。
《红字》这部意义深远的巨作,是十九世纪浪漫主义文学的优秀代表。
对人类挣扎的灵魂的刻画使霍桑成为世界文学史上的杰出人物。
关键词:霍桑;《红字》;象征;象征主义AbstractThe Scarlet Letter makes American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne known all over the world. The main artistic writing skill in this novel is symbolism, which not only runs through the whole novel, but also adds long-lasting charms to the book. 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 first explores the symbolism of the color red and the multi-layered meanings of the capital letter “A”. Then it concentrates on symbolic meanings of the settings, such as the scaffold, the prison, the wild rosebushes, the sunshine, the brook and the forest. Finally, it analyzes the symbolic meanings of the characters and further explores Hawthorne’s techniques—symbolism. Hawthorne’s influence on literature is far beyond his time, The Scarlet Letter is an excellent representative work of romantic literature of the 19th century, a masterpiece of profound and long-lasting significance. His portrayals of the struggle of human soul have made him an outstanding figure in the history of world literature.Key words: Hawthorne; The Scarlet Letter; symbol; symbolismTable of ContentsAcknowledgements (I)摘要……………………………………………………………………………………………….错误!未找到引用源。
The Scarlet LetterI. IntroductionNathaniel Hawthorne (1804一1864), born in a noble family in New England. He came from a religious family with generations of Calvinism. When he was four years old, his father who was a captain was died from the illness, his beautiful and wise mother brought up him and his sisters by herself. The grave Calvinism mood in his family and the society impressed him deeply, that formed him a depressed character and made him always think a lot. And what his ancestor did to persecute heresy made him feel guilty.The Scarlet Letter was declared a classic almost immediately after its publication in 1850, and it has stayed in print and in favor ever since. It has been hailed both as the first symbolic novel and as the first psychological novel (even though it was written before there was a science called psychology). But what really secures the place of The Scarlet Letter in the literary history is its treatment of human nature, sin, guilt, and pride—all timeless, universal themes--from a uniquely American point of view. In the decades that followed the American revolution, the united states struggled to distinguish itself culturally from Europe. There was a sense that if the United States were to become a great nation, it needed to have its own artistic traditions, not transplanted imitations of European models. Hawthorne rose to this challenge. The Scarlet Letter is set in the mid-seventeenth century in a puritan colony on the edge of an untamed forest still inhabited by native Americans. The landscape is wholly American.II. The Story of the BookThe novel takes place during the summer in 17th-century Boston, Massachusetts in a Puritan village. It narrates love affairs between three persons. The punished woman. Hester Prynne and his husband. Who called himself Roger Chillingworth. He is an old misshapen man and a doctor. Hester does not love him at all. Another man is a young minister, Dimmesdale, who has a high position among ministers and is highly respected among his people in town. Hester and Dimmesdale love each other. But their love is forbidden in that time. It is sinful. Due to this, Hester is punished by society with a letter A on her chest,which considered an evil, a shame.When the young woman Hester was taking out of the town prison with her beautiful and smart daughter, a man, a elderly and strange man appeared in the crowd. He was curious and he asked other people what was happening. Through other people, the man knew that the young woman was punished because of adultery. The strange man was Hester's husband, who was thought to be died. He asked Hester who was the little girl's father. Hester never told him. So he tried many ways to find the girl's father and wanted to revenge him. Occasionally, Hester's husband found that the young minister, Dimmesdale's performance was abnormal. Dimmesdale was always silent and depressed, seemed very guiltily. Soon, he was ill. Hester's husband got the chance to be close to the minister Dimmesdale as a doctor. Roger Chillingworth, Hester's husband got along well with Dimmesdale in the daily life, and finally, he found the secret. Dimmesdale, the young minister, who was respected by the town people, was the little girl's father. Then he took a series of measures to revenge the minister. In the last period of the minister's life, he suffered a lot both in mentally and physically. Finally, in the day before he became the bishop, after he confessed his sins, he died in the side of the person he loved.Frustrated in his revenge, Chillingworth dies a year later. Hester and Pearl leave Boston, and no one knows what has happened to them. Many years later, Hester returns alone, still wearing the scarlet letter, to live in her old cottage and resumes her charitable work. She receives occasional letters from Pearl, who was rumored to have married a European aristocrat and established a family of her own. Pearl also inherits all of Chillingworth's money even though he knows she is not his daughter. In the very end, people forgave Hester's sin, and after Hester's death, they buried her a new grave near an old and sunken one, which was near to the minister Dimmesdale's. Yet one tombstone served for both." The tombstone was decorated with a letter "A", for Hester and Dimmesdale.III. My Views on this BookIn the book, Hawthorne uses a bittersweet-ending story to show us something about the national America. The strict religious morality gives a deep influence to the society and there is a troubled relationship between white settles and native Americans. What is perhaps even more remarkable about this 150-year-old story if that its characters face the samemoral struggles as readers in the twenty-first century.The Scarlet Letter concerns about the moral, emotional and psychological effect of the sin on people in general. It's not simply a love story or a story of sin. The scarlet letter "A" is used to symbolize the harshness of Puritan society, showing how they brand sinners for life. It shows us an extraordinary picture of the 17th century's American Puritan society to us.In this book, I like the character Hester best. Although she is sinful, but her qualities is very commendable. On the other hand, her behaviour of pursuing happiness and true is not wrong. Everyone has his or her right to find his or her own happiness. If I have her courage and strength, I think many problems that I have come across in my study and life will be dealt with more proper and easier. In other words, Hester has taught me something. That is: To admit your mistake and face the fact bravely, and finally, manage it.What is the most remarkable point of Hester Prynne is her strength of character. While Hawthorne does not give a great deal of information about her life before the book opens, he does show her remarkable character, revealed through her public humiliation and subsequent, isolated life in Puritan society. Her inner strength, her defiance of convention, her honesty, and her compassion may have been in her character all along, but the scarlet letter brings them to our attention. She is, in the end, a survivor.In the end, Hester's strength, honesty, and compassion carry her through a life she had not imagined. While Dimmesdale dies after his public confession and Chillingworth dies consumed by his own hatred and revenge, Hester lives on, quietly, and becomes something of a legend in the colony of Boston. The scarlet letter made her what she became, and, in the end, she grew stronger and more at peace through her suffering.Hester Prynne, a lady should be respected.The Scarlet Letter, a book should be read.Modern readers will see much of themselves in the characters of The Scarlet Letter.。
红字读后感英文200字英文回答:The Scarlet Letter, a captivating novel penned by Nathaniel Hawthorne, delves into the depths of human nature, exploring the intertwining themes of sin, guilt, and redemption. Set in the austere Puritan society of 17th-century New England, the story revolves around the trials and tribulations of Hester Prynne, a young woman ostracized by her community for committing adultery.Hawthorne's prose is both lyrical and haunting, capturing the complexities of his characters with vivid imagery and psychological depth. He portrays Hester's resilience and determination, as well as the inner turmoil and torment that consume her. The scarlet letter "A" she is forced to wear on her bosom becomes a powerful symbol ofher transgression, yet also a catalyst for her growth and eventual acceptance.The novel is not merely a tale of punishment and repentance but a profound meditation on the human condition. It examines the corrosive effects of guilt, the power of forgiveness, and the enduring bonds of love and loyalty. Hawthorne masterfully weaves a narrative that is both introspective and socially critical, offering insights into the ways in which societal norms and personal desires can collide in destructive and ultimately transformative ways.Through the intricate interplay of characters, Hawthorne explores the nuances of human relationships. The forbidden love triangle between Hester, the minister Arthur Dimmesdale, and the physician Roger Chillingworth exposes the complexities of passion, betrayal, and revenge. The novel delves into the psychological consequences of such relationships, highlighting the psychological and emotional toll they can take on those involved.Hawthorne's exploration of the Puritan society provides a backdrop against which the themes of sin, guilt, and redemption are examined. The strict moral code of the Puritans, with its emphasis on obedience and conformity,creates an atmosphere of suppression and intolerance. Yet, within this rigid society, individuals like Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale find ways to resist and assert their humanity.The Scarlet Letter remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. Its explorationof universal human themes, its complex characters, and its exquisite prose make it a compelling and thought-provoking work of literature.中文回答:《红字》是美国著名作家纳撒尼尔·霍桑创作的一部经典小说,以17世纪新英格兰清教社会为背景,讲述了女主人公海丝特·白兰因通奸而被流放出社区,胸前被迫佩戴上代表罪恶的猩红色字母“A”,所经历的痛苦与救赎的故事。
The Unique Character of Hester Prynnein the Scarlet LetterI Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Scarlet LetterWith the publication of the Scarlet Letter,Nathaniel Hawthorne became one of the greatest writer at that time and built his reputation as a major American author. Since then people began to take great interest in all aspects of his life and biographical and critical studies have been written about him and his works, which make him become more and more famous and popular. Moreover, many people have shown an ever-increasing interest in his works. In the history of American literature during the romantic, Nathaniel Hawthorne ranks first in almost everyone’s mind.Hawthorne was born on the fourth of July, in 1840 in Salem, Massachusetts; some of his ancestors were prominent in the Puritan theocracy of seventeenth century New England. One of his ancestors was a colonial magistrate notorious for his participation in the persecution of Quakers, and another was a judge at the Salem Witchcraft Trail in 1692. Gradually, the family began to decline. Hawthorne’s father was a sea captain who died in an accident and left his mother and himself alone. Y oung Hawthorne was aware of the misdeeds of his Puritan ancestors and great influenced by them.In Bowdoin College he developed friendship with many important persons who had all exerted influence on his life and creation. From 1825 to 1837 Hawthorne lived in solitude and seclusion, and read widely. In process of probing into the nature of human beings, he successfully created a typical woman who left deep impression on people.The story of the Scarlet Letter begins in seventeenth-century Boston, a puritan settlement. Hester Prynne is a woman who is led from the town prison with her illegal infant daughter, Pearl. Hester Prynne is found guilty of having been adulterous and is sentenced to wear a scarlet letter to show her sin. Hester’s husband, a scholar much older than her, sends her ahead to America, but he never arrives in Boston, because he has been lost at sea. While waiting for her husband, Hester has a love affair with a young minister Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester’s husband, who is now practicing medicine and calling himself Roger Chillingworth tries to reveal the true criminal and makes his revenge. Dimmesdale seeks to hide his sin, upholding the rightness of his ministry as the excuse. However, he appears to be wasting away and suffers from mysterious heart trouble, seemingly caused by psychological distress. This secret does not flee from theterrible perception of Hester’s husband, Chillingworth .Making use of his profession, he destroys Dimmesdale step by step until death and in this way Chillingworth changes from a victim into a devil. In the meantime, Hester acquires a real significance when she reestablishes a meaningful relationship with her fellowmen.Since the Scarlet Letter was published it has been regarded as one of the greatest works in American literature. Through the analysis of the main characters and the different meanings of the scarlet letter A, we can see Hawthorne is a master of symbolism, and his influence has been great.II The Unique Character of Hester in the Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter focuses on the theme of guilt and punishment and describes a moving love story. The author created successfully a typical woman, Hester Prynne, who left a deep impression on the readers.2.1 Hester’s FirmnessHester is a woman who has great courage to devote to true love, a woman who experiences hard life and longs for freedom. She loves her life, and no matter how difficult it is, she tries her best to struggle against the adversity.The beginning of the story, which gives many descriptions on the appearance of Hester Prynne. It reads that,The door of jail being flung open from within, there appeared, Hester Prynne who bore in her arms a child, a baby of some three months ol d. On the threshold of the prison-door, she repelled the town-beadle by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character, and stepped into the open air as if by own free will, when Hester Prynne finally stands on the scaffold. She is crowded by many people.①We can see that Hester sustains herself under the heavy weight of a thousand and unrelenting eyes, all fixed upon her, and concentrate upon her bosom. It’s almost intolerable to her, but to our surprise is that when she stood fully before the crowd, With a burning blush, and a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors. On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. The Y oung woman was tall. With a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale who was lady-like. Characterized by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the delicate, evanescent, and indescribable grace.②Obviously Hester wanted to display her challenges to the whole dismal severity of the puritanical code of law.In addition, Hester’s dependence and self-reliance were also reflected in her hard life. After having experienced hard life and suffered insult and persecution, she went on living bravely in difficulties and hardships, and she faced her existence as a human being rather than escaped and committed suicide. She never quarreled with the public, and did not seek to acquire anything beyond subsistence. With the development of the story, the author constantly endows the letter A with new meanings, which Changes from a symbol of shame to a token of beauty, Hester’s life eventually acquires a real significance and the letter A on her breast changes from “Adultery”to “Able”and “Angel”.Hester’s firm conviction keeps Hester in Boston close to Dimmesdale all those long, sad years.The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free … shame, Despair, Solitude!③Those had been her teachers, and she learned from them and they had made her strong.2.2 Hester’s RebellionHester is rebellious, and in a sense, her rebellious actions mark the maturity of herself. Hester’s first rebellion is seen in chapter seven at the Governor’s Hall .In order to defend her right to raise Pearl, Hester doesn’t fear in the confrontation with Governor Bellingham. Although she is alone in the world and casted off by it, she feels that she possesses indefeasible rights against the world, and is ready to defend them to the death. Furthermore, Pearl is her very life, her only treasure purchased with all she had and the only thing to connect her parents forever, so although Hester is isolated and cast off from help and it seems scarcely an unequal match between the Puritanical Magistrates, Hester Prynne still set forth from her solitary cottage and gets ready to defend herself. At Governor’s Hall Hester realizes that she has the responsibility and capacity to bring up the child, so she repeals, raising her voice almost to a shriek. “God gave her into my keeping; I will not give her up!”④Her extraordinary courage and rebellious spirit were revealed completely.Hester’s second rebellion is showed by exposing her former husband, the true identity of Chillingworth.It has been seven years since Hester Prynne was released from the jail. Seven years ago, when Hester Prynne was still in prison, her former husband Chillingworth came to the prison and talked with her, asking Hester to hide his true identity. The life and fame of Dimmesdale were in his hands, so in order not to destroy her lover, Hester had no choice but to make a promise to Chillingworth. In some senses, Hester Prynne was right and was worthy of understanding. Moreover, at that time she didn’t know C illingworth’s real motive of doing this. But when she had witnessed the misery of the minister, she began to realize her husband’s true purpose. Moreover Dimmesdale was almost on the verge of lunacy; he got to further internalize his guilt and self-punishment and led to still more deterioration in his physical and spiritual condition. Hester was upset in mind and was afraid of losing her beloved. Therefore, she determined to redeem her error to stop Chillingworth from hurting Dimmesdale further. We were told that in chapter fourteen, Hester and the Physician.When we last spoken together said Hester now seven years ago, it was your pleasure to extort a promise of secrecy. As touching the former relations betwixt yourself and me. I have to be silent, yet it was not without heavy misgivings that I thus bound myself. However In pledging myself to keep your counsel I was betraying him…I must reveal the secret answered Hester firmly.⑤Finally, Hester Prynne resolved to meet Chillingworth, and do what might be in her power for the rescue of the victim on whom he had so evidently set his gripe. We dare say that Hester’s rupture with Chillingworth just symbolized. “Divorce”–the action only modern woman dare to take. Meanwhile, it manifested that there existed indeed feminist ideas in Hester’s mind.The third rebellion of Hester Prynne was fiercer, reflecting her tenacious desire and radical thought. She persuaded the minister Dimmesdale to pursue a new Life with her. No matter how difficult it is, she wants to look for a new way of life with her beloved.Is the world then, so narrow? Doth the Universe Lie within the compass of yonder lawn; whither leads yonder forest track? There thou art free! So brief a Journey would bring thee from a world where thou mayest still be happy.⑥Dimmesdale’s inner world was full of conflicts between natural attribute and social attribute, such as impulse and repentance, honesty and hypocrisy, love and religious doctrine, Dimmesdale didn’t want to confess this, so he chose to conceal it, thus became weaker and more dependent upon Puritan creed for seven years. It was much to beregretted that Dimmesdale a victim of religions belief thought that he was powerless to go, because he was wretched and sinful. He had no other thought than to drag on his earthy existence in the sphere where providence had placed him. At this crucial moment, in order to arouse him to pragmatic idealism, Hester tried her best to persuade the minister.Thou art crushed under the seven years weight of misery. But thou shalt leave it all behind thee! ….. Leave this wreek and ruin here where it hath happened…Begin all anew! The future is yet full of trail and success…. Exchange this false Life of thine for a true one …. Preach! Write! Act! Do anything, save to Lie down and die!⑦Encouraged by Hester, the minister eventually determined to flee with her. We were told that after discussing with Hester Prynne, the excitement gave Mr. Dimmesdale more physical energy, and he went back to town at a rapid pace.In order to give Dimmesdale encouragement and hope, she resolutely took the scarlet letter from her bosom and threw it to a distance among the withered leaves, in which the burden of shame and anguish depart from her spirit, her sex, youth, and the whole richness of her beauty come back.All of the above is just the reflection of the unique character of Hester Prynne, who is difference from others. She retains her self-respect and survives her punishment with dignity, grace and ever-growing strength of character.III The Contrast between Hester and the Major Male CharactersIn the Scarlet Letter, Hester is a unique character, and through the contrast between her and Chillingworth, her and Dimmesdale, her and Governor Bellingham, her and the reverend clergyman of Boston John Wilson, we can easily see that Hester Prynne is not only a beautiful but a sincere and kind hearted woman with a true love in her heart.3.1 The Contrast between Hester and ChillingworthIn chapter two of the book, we were told that Hester Prynne was found guilty of having been adulterous and was sentenced to wear a scarlet letter A to show her sin. When she was on the scaffold, which was the first time for the readers to witness the appearance of the protagonist, she was found to be,A young woman, with a figure of perfect elegance…. The young woman wastall, with dark and abundant hair, she was lady-like, too after the manner of thefeminine gentility of those days; characterized by a certain state and dignity rather than by the delicate, evanescent and indescribable grace, which is now recognized as its indication.As every reader noticed at the beginning of the story, Hester’s personality is described vividly and completely, her pride and her beauty are emphasized. Chillingworth is just the opposite. Hester and Chillingworth’s marriage was a big mistake; he cheats Hester and makes her his wife. He tries to use tricks and fraud to fill the gaps between him and Hester, but there is a kind of mental gap that can never be filled up. Roger Chillingworth, as his name suggests, is a man deficient in human warmth, his twisted stooped deformed shoulders mirror his distorted soul.Chillingworth was small in stature with a furrowed visage, which, as yet, could hardly be termed aged. Although, by a seeming careless arrangement of his heterogeneous garb, he had endeavored to conceal or abate the peculiarity. It was sufficiently evident to Hester Prynne,that one of this man’s shoulders rose higher than the other.⑧However, we cannot say one is good or bad just from one’s appearance, but Chillingworth even took revenge as the aim of his life, he avenged himself not only on Dimmesdale, but on Hester as well. He is so hypocritical that once he said and he had no desire to take vengeance on Hester but latter, he broke his promise and paid no heed to his own sin and even took revenge as his biggest pleasure.I shall seek this man, as I have sought truth in books, as I have sought gold inalchemy. There is a sympathy that will make me conscious of him. I shall see him tremble, I shall feel myself shudder, suddenly and unawares sooner or later, he must needs be mine.⑨Chillingworth was interested in revenge, not justice, and he sought the deliberate destruction of others rather than a redress of wrongs. He was in great contrast with the beautiful and kind-hearted Hester.3.2The Contrast between Hester and DimmesdaleIn the novel, Hester was more courageous and steadfast. Her scarlet letter was put on her bosom by sentence and she bravely admitted her guilt and was ready to accept her punishment the scarlet letter cultivated her and made her strong in mind. It liberated her rather than punished her. The pressure and punishment that Hester withstood bravely came from three sides: religion, society and individuals. Religion punished her with thescarlet letter, because adultery was sternly forbidden by the puritan system, society put its blame upon Hester. People of the town believed that Hester was a witch and they wanted to ruin her life because they actually thought she was bad; and in an individual sense, she was ostracized and was criticized no matter where she went. But as time went on, people did not look down upon her any longer, because she had made them believe that she was a woman who deserved respect and the scarlet letter became a token that brought happiness and relief to people. Hester was no longer seen as a person of sin but as an “angel”and as an” able”,Hester had got a new realization about sin and had learned now to deal with the letter and had grown stronger from it, even though she was severely tortured by the church, sent to Jail, exposed publicly, forced to wear the scarlet letter A etc.In contrast to Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale, who sins performs adultery with Hester Prynne is coward and weak-willed, and he is the invisible letter A. According to the seventeenth century Puritan doctrine, a minister is forbidden to fall in love with his parishioner, especially a woman who has been married like Hester, he violates the severe doctrine. Due to his cowardice and hypocrisy, he has no courage to confess his sin publicly. By wearing the A Hester Prynne allows herself to be read by others. But Dimmesdale is an inward book, and nobody can read him by his outward appearance. We can only see the sign sometimes appears on his body as physical stigmata and sometimes is imprinted in the sky at night. The more Dimmesdale makes an outward confession, the more intense his inward book becomes. Gradually he becomes careworn and his eyes have a world of pain. Hester Prynne is a woman who has great courage to devote to real love, a woman who experiences hard life and longs for happiness and freedom .She suffers a lot in order to protect Dimmesdale from losing the fame and dignity. However, the minister has no courage to admit that he loves for Hester. As a clergyman, what he does might be good for the development of society; it’s hard or impossible for him to break away from the yoke of religion for he is pious to it. Dimmesdale is a good example to show the persecution of Puritanism upon human being. Dimmesdale is a holy clergyman who has high social status and lots of parishioners, so he tries to curb and hide his sin. But gradually he feels his hypocrisy and the flame of guilt starts to gnaw his fragile mind. Although he also dreams of pursuing freedom and happy life and safeguarding the social status, and caring for the fame and prestige, there seems no choice for him. On that occasion, he undergoes thetragic experience for wholly seven years.I am powerless to go! Wretched and sinful as I am, I have had no other thoughtthan to drag on earthly. Existence in the sphere where Providence hath placed me.Lost as my own souls. I would still do what I may for other human souls.⑩All these words, his hesitation was reflected clearly.Dimmesdale’s tragedy was inevitable. He lived in the period where conservation and asceticism played the dominating role in people’s life. He faced powerful pressure. Dimmesdale was incapable of breaking the bonds of creed and the religious community that he belonged to. If he left them he would lose his bearings, he would be bewildered, and he would even be at the mercy of fate. So he became a prey under the shackles of Calvinism.Compared with Dimmesdale, Hester retains her self- respect and survives her punishment with dignity, grace and ever-growing strength of character. In chapter seven we are told that Hester Prynne gives her back to the Dimmesdale,Meddle no more with it! Begin all anew! Hast thou exhausted possibility in the failure of this one trial? Not so! The future is yet fall of trial and success. There is happiness to be enjoyed! There is good to be done, Exchange this false life of thine for a true one.○113.3 The Contrast between Hester,Bellingham and WilsonThe author gives many comments on Bellingham and John Wilson. Governor Bellingham is the former governor and the man who wants to take Pearl away from Hester, but he decides to allow Pearl to stay with her mother after Hester forces Dimmesdale to plead on her behalf. John Wilson, the eldest clergyman in Boston, is a friend of Arthur Dimmesdale. Bellingham lives in a luxurious mansion. He is commonly known to be a witch who ventures into the forest at night to ride with the “Black Man”. His appearance on public occasions reminds the reader of the hypocrisy and hidden evil in puritan society.This was a large wooden house built in a fashion of which there are specimens still extant in the streets of our elder towns; the walls being overspread with a kind of stucco. In which fragments of broken glass were intermixed, so that when sunshine fell aslant-wile over the front of the edifice, it glittered and sparkled as if diamonds had been flung against it by the double handful the brilliancy might have befitted Aladdin’s palace, rather than the mansion of a grave old Puritan ruler.○12In the novel, Hester finds a cottage in the woods near the outskirts of the city and she spends her time working on the projects that bring her incomes, and devotes the remainder of her work to creating garments for the poor. S he lives simply with the sole exception that she creates amazing dresses of fabrics for Pearl. At the same time the author pointed out that it is an error to suppose that our grave forefathers-though accustomed to speak and think of human existence as a state merely of trial and warfare and though unfeigned prepared to sacrifice goods and life at the behest of duty-made, it a mater of conscience to reject such means of comfort, or even luxury as lay fairly within their grasp. This creed was never taught, for instance, by the venerable pastor. John Wilson, the old clergyman, nurtured at the rich bosom of the English church, had a long-established and legitimate taste for all good and comfortable things. The genial benevolence of his private life had won him warmer affection than was accorded to any of his professional contemporaries.However, Hester Prynne is well known for her submissiveness, for she never complains. She never battles with the public, but submitted, she nurses and aids the poor. In return, they say bitter things to her, yet she accepts them all. She submits everything on the outside, and at last, she wins a moral victory with her honesty.By contrasting with the major male characters in the novel, the unique character of Hester Prynne is obvious to us all.IV Hester’s Consciousness of FeminismAll of the above is just the reflection of Hester’s unique. In a sense, the clique also means the potential feminist ideas. But as we know, at that time, Puritanism plays a very important rule in people’s life and rules over people. One of the laws of Puritanism is abstinence. If someone doesn’t obey it, she or he will be regarded, as sinner and the behavior will be great shame. Moreover, Hester does not want to live without true love and in order to pursue her happiness and freedom, she becomes the sacrificial object of Puritanism. Although Hester suffers enormously from the shame of her public disgrace and from the isolation of her punishment, in her inmost heart she can never accept the Puritan interpretation of her act, and she retains her self-respect and survives her punishment with dignity, grace and ever-growing strength of character, Hester’s radical thought, tenacious desire and a fierce mind are just what feminism advocates. Hester Prynne is resurrected by her pious atonement, refiguring the scarlet letter as a symbol of her own experiences and character. She achieves spiritual greatness because she dares totrust herself and to believe in the possibility of a new morality in the new world. Although she is a sinner, her wiliness and confidence plays an active role in promoting the development of feminism later. Through H ester’s life story, we have to think about how woman can gain their deserved rights of equality and freedom. Could it be true that she has no choic e to live but only to die? I don’t think so, Hester’s image, her martial spirits and also her radical feminist ideas which maybe not realized at that time will encourage today’s people to strive after the rights that belay to them. This is the very positive social significance of the Scarlet Letter. Through the above discussion, we can conclude that Hester is resurrected by her pious atonement, and the process can be found clearly in the changes of the meaning of the scarlet letter A.The Scarlet Letter attained an immediate and lasting success because it addressed spiritual and moral issues from a uniquely American standpoint.In 1850, adultery was an extremely risquésubject, but because Hawthorne had the support of the New England literary establishment, The Scarlet Letter passed easily into the realm of appropriate reading. The book 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 on a universal theme.The Scarlet Letter was the first, and the tendency of criticism is to pronounce it the most impressive, also, of these ampler productions. It has the charm of unconsciousness, but the author did not realize while he worked, that this "most prolix among tales" was alive with the miraculous vitality of genius. It combines the strength and substance of an oak with the subtle organization of a rose, and is great, not of malice aforethought, but inevitably. It goes to the root of the matter, and reaches some unconventional conclusions, which, however, would scarcely be apprehended by the readers nowadays, for the external or literal significance of the story, though in strict correspondence with the spirit, conceals that spirit from the literal eye.Notes①The Scarlet Letter, Yili people’s Press, 2001.P8② Ibid,P8③ Ibid,P10④ Ibid,P106⑤ Ibid,P247⑥ Ibid,P10⑦ Ibid,P21⑧ Ibid,P46⑨ Ibid,P246⑩Ibid,P86⑪Ibid,P90⑫Ibid,P106Bibliography1.Wu Weiren, History and Anthology of American LiteratureBeijing: Foreign language Teaching and Research Press, 19902.Chang Raoxin,A Survey of American Literature the 2nd Edition Nan Kai University Press, 20043.The Scarlet Letter,Yili people’s Press, 20014.Doubleday, Neal G, Hawthorne’s Hester and Feminism.The Critical Response reprinted from PMLA, LIV, 1939,188.5.Nathaniel Hawthorne,The Scarlet Letter, Bantam Books, 1986.。
英语专业毕业论文《红字》赏析全英文浅析《红字》中象征主义手法的运用AbstractNathaniel Hawthorne is a great romantic novelist in America in the 19th century. As a great romantic novelist, Hawthorne is outstanding in handling application of symbolism.The Scarlet Letter is Hawthorne's most important symbolic novel, which is the best work of Hawthorne and one of the indubitable masterpieces of American Literature. And it is this novel that makes Nathaniel Hawthorne known all around the world. In this work, Hawthorne uses the symbolism so skillfully that it enhances the artistic effects of his work greatly. In The Scarlet Letter, symbolism runs through the whole novel. The most important symbol is the scarlet letter itsel f. Not only does “A” manifest in various forms, but also it has changing meanings from “adultery” to“able”, even “a n gelic” in the novel. Besides, the name of the four major characters in the novel: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth and Pearl also have their own symbolic meanings. Some other objects and natural surroundings that are described in the novel such as the jail, the forest, the rose bush and so on are all endowed with a deep symbolic significance. The author of the thesis will explore the usage of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter from the three aspectsmentioned abo ve and analyze Hawthorne’s skillful use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter.Key Words: the scarlet letter;symbolism;Hester Prynne;Pearl摘要纳撒尼尔·霍桑是十九世纪美国伟大的浪漫主义小说家。
On psychological conflict of Dimondale in the scarlet letter Dimondale is a young disciple, orthodox monk and theologies .but in his inner mind, he feels himself as a real sinner. Although he does not suffer the shame for being standing in execution ground as Hastert, he suffers greater spiritual pains than that. Puritan moral ideas, guilt for haster, conflict between hope for confessing sin and weak personality, roger chillinguorth’s constourt interrogation; all these factors are torturing dimmesdale mercilessly and destroy his weak nerve as well as body at last. In these seven years, dimmesdale suffer painful psychological conflicts between belief and reality, individual and society, respect and sin, love and hatred.<-> conflict between religious belief and real life.As a clergyman, Dimmesdale is devout and dirine. Graduating from a famous university of England, he brings all knowledge into that desert place. He receives great reputation among the coterie by his eloquence and religious passion. In public’s mind, minister Dimondale is an adorable and respectable kind person. By contrast, Dimondale feels himself as a sinner in the depth of mind. The more people show respect for him, the deeper the sin he feels , worshipping god and begging for forgiveness by kind deeds is the only way to get rid of that sin and be free of prison. But puritan’s enthusiasm extreminism actually deprive god’s right of forgiveness. Puritans advocate that once a person has sin, he can’t receive any forgiveness but suffer constant pain and torture. No matter how pure and noble he is. thus , facing his lover and daughter, dimmesdale can only control the inner impulsion and take on indifferent and cruel appearance .his human nature is killed by the Puritan commandment and thoughts is completely controlled .Under the dominance of this kind of cruel religious rights, dimmesdale lives in extreme conflict as a young minister with invisible sin. On one hand, he recognizes himself as a professional speaker for truth at any time since the religious thoughts dominate his mind. He devotes all his learning to the people. Dimmesdale is a loyal disaple and excellent sermoner in dead. However, on the other hand, dimmesdale is a person with blood and flesh after all, he can’t totally get rid of the society .he also has emotion .after committing adultery; he lacks the courage toconfess it in public. He thinks that will lead people’s respect to turn into hatred and scorn. As a man with invisible sin, be confesses sin in secret with caution. But this increases the punishment. The more he denies his relationship with haster and pearl, the heavier his sense of sin becomes. He knows clearly that his confess is useless, but he can’t stop doing it. Dimmesdale lives with extreme pain in that false world. It seems that the world becomes false because of his falseness.<=> conflict between individual and society.Most of hawthorn’s works are written in colonial period of New England. At that time, most migratory believe in Puritanism. Actually, New England is under the rule of secular political rights and divine church, which has great influence on that colonial society. It also causes shade and psychological conflict on people’s mind since society control human nature.From the painful experience of haster and her daughter pearl, we can understand clearly that once a person commits crime in a puritan society, he will drop into endless gulf and have no choice to get rid of it. The society exaggerates the seriousness of individual’s crime. Therefore, as a person with high rank, dimmesdale is afraid of social policy and the narrowness of people thoughts. He is heavily burdened with betrayal to god, religious people, haster and himself from social angle, dimmesdale is a minister while haster is his religious person .they commits crime before the secular law and religious principles .guide becomes the seducer .then they are in deep love. Unfortunately, their sincere and reasonable love is not accepted by puritan society. Since the man who has adultery with married woman will be given death penalty. What’s more, the puritans never give any opinions on this kind of thing in order to keep their own purity .as a result, dimmesdale has to war false mask and be a man with invisible sin. In his mind, he is burdened with heavy cross and trugging in life journey with endless confess. humanity is twisted by the cruel society so that kindness become sin, truth is hidden by falseness while twisted psychology is accepted by the society 。
《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.。
摘要珠儿是霍桑在《红字》中塑造的一个至关重要的形象,其特殊的成长环境,性格特点及其圣洁美好的人性特征构成她别具一格的整体形象。
珠儿身上带有的“罪孽”“救赎”“挚爱”的象征意义令这个人物形象更加饱满和形象。
因为珠儿的存在,海斯特得到内心的救赎,重获希望。
珠儿对于小说主题和对其他三位主要人物具有象征和反衬作用,体现了人性的善与恶、美与丑的鲜明特点关键字:《红字》;珠儿;象征;作用AbstractPearl is a vital image portrayed by Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter. Her special growth environment, personality characteristics and holy and beautiful human characteristics constitute her unique overall image. The symbolic meaning of "sin", "redemption" and "beloved love" carried on Pearl's body makes this character's image fuller and more vivid. Because of Pearl's existence, Hester received a redemption in his heart and regained hope. Pearl has a symbolic and contrasting effect on the theme of the novel and on the other three main characters, reflecting the distinctive characteristics of good and evil, beauty and ugliness of human nature.Key words: "The Scarlet Letter"; Pearl; Symbol;Function目录一、引言 (5)二、珠儿的形象与特点 (6)(一)生长于牢门的罪恶之花 (6)(二)野性叛逆的性格 (7)(三)圣洁美好的人性特征 (8)三、珠儿的多重象征意义 (9)(一)罪孽的显现 (9)(二)救赎的化身 (10)(三)挚爱的象征 (11)四、珠儿的作用 (12)(一)珠儿的象征作用 (12)(二)珠儿的反衬作用 (13)五、结语 (15)注文 (15)参考文献 (15)致谢.......................................... 错误!未定义书签。
目录一、引言 (2)二、作品中人名象征意义的分析 (2)(一)丰富象征意义的化身——白兰 (2)(二)自闭的亚瑟.丁梅斯代尔 (3)(三)真正的恶魔——齐灵沃斯 (3)(四)美好和纯洁的象征——珠儿 (4)三、字母A的象征意义 (4)(一) A——通奸的象征 (5)(二) A——忠贞的爱情 (5)(三) A——能干的象征 (5)(四) A——艺术的象征 (6)(五) A——天使的象征 (6)四、结语 (6)参考文献 (7)《红字》中人名和字母A的象征意义摘要:纳撒尼尔·霍桑是美国19世纪著名的浪漫主义小说家、美国浪漫主义小说和心理分析小说的开创人之一。
他善于运用浪漫主义的想像、象征寓意和大量主观色彩浓重的心理分析描写来突出主题、烘托人物的内心世界,同时亦表现出神秘主义的晦涩。
本文主要通过其代表做《红字》中人物姓名和字母A的象征意义的深入剖析突出作品多重寓意和多元主题性,从而更好的解读《红字》这部经典作品。
关键词:海斯特·白兰;亚瑟·丁梅斯代尔;齐灵沃斯;珠儿;主题;字母A;《红字》一、引言象征主义的写法是文学创作的一种技巧,它用一种具体的事物引起读者的联想[1]。
在英美文学中,赋予作品中的人物以特殊的名字是一种常见的象征主义的写作手法,例如:英国伟大的剧作家莎士比亚的戏剧《亨利四世》中的Sir Falstaff,另一位英国剧作家谢利丹的戏剧作品《对手》中的Mrs.Malaprop,美国著名南方作家福克纳的《八月之光》中的J.Christmas等等,这些名字无疑充实了对人物性格的刻画,向读者暗示了作品中人物与主题的联系[2]。
美国19世纪浪漫主义作家纳撒尼尔·霍桑在创作中对于人物姓名的使用为其作品增色不少,其代表作《红字》中体现了人名所具有的丰富象征意义,不仅如此,其中字母A以其丰富的寓意很好地突出了作品的主题,以致不同的读者和评论家从中得出不同的结论。
与此相适应,人物形象也就丰富多彩,代表着善恶美丑等种种不同的道德寓意。
《红字》中的人名寓意解析
1. Hester Prynne: Hester含有“星星”的意思,表达了她在故事中的闪耀和独立。
Prynne则暗示了她的身份地位,与法官John Hathorne在1692年的“被捆绑者审判”相关联。
2. 看守: 看守代表罗杰·齐勒,他的名字暗示他作为隐喻的看守和掌控者的角色。
3. Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale: 他的名字暗示他在犯罪后的痛苦中的抑郁和虚弱,字母“D”意味着麻烦和困难,而“m”则代表他的虚弱和痛苦。
4. Roger Chillingworth: 他的名字暗示他的冷酷和无情。
他的姓氏望文生义,表达了他的意志坚定,不容易被打败。
5. Pearl: Pearl代表珠宝般的纯洁和无暇,同时也暗示了她展示的纯真和诚实。
此外,珍珠也象征着神秘和隐藏,但也代表了独立和自由的意义。
The Scarlet LetterPlot summaryThe novel takes place during the summer in 17th-century Boston, Massachusetts in a Puritan village. A young woman, named Hester Prynne, has been led from the town prison with her infant daughter in her arms and on the breast of her gown "a rag of scarlet cloth" that "assumed the shape of a letter." It was the uppercase letter "A". The Scarlet Letter "A" represents the act of adultery that she has committed and it is to be a symbol of her sin—a badge of shame—for all to see. A man, who was elderly and a stranger to the town, enters the crowd and asks another onlooker what's happening. He responds by explaining that Hester is being punished for adultery. Hester's husband, who is much older than she, and whose real name is unknown, has sent her ahead to America whilst settling affairs in Europe. However, her husband does not arrive in Boston, and the consensus is that he has been lost at sea. It is apparent that, while waiting for her husband, Hester has had an affair, leading to the birth of her daughter. She will not reveal her lover's identity, however, and the scarlet letter, along with her subsequent public shaming, is the punishment for her sin and secrecy. On this day Hester is led to the town scaffold and harangued by the town fathers, but she again refuses to identify her child's father.[2]The elderly onlooker is Hester's missing husband, who is now practicing medicine and calling himself Roger Chillingworth. He settles in Boston, intent on revenge. He reveals his true identity to no one but Hester, whom he has sworn to secrecy. Several years pass. Hester supports herself by working as a seamstress, and her daughter Pearl grows into a willful, impish child—in Hawthorne's work, Pearl is more of a symbol than an actual character—and is said to be the scarlet letter come to life as both Hester's love and her punishment. Shunned by the community, they live in a small cottage on the outskirts of Boston. Community officials attempt to take Pearl away from Hester, but with the help of Arthur Dimmesdale, an eloquent minister, the mother and daughter manage to stay together. Dimmesdale, however, appears to be wasting away and suffers from mysterious heart trouble, seemingly caused by psychological distress. Chillingworth attaches himself to the ailing minister and eventually moves in with him so that he can provide his patient with round-the-clock care. Chillingworth also suspects that there may be a connection between the minister's torments and Hester's secret, and he begins to test Dimmesdale to see what he can learn. One afternoon, while the minister sleeps, Chillingworth discovers something undescribed to the reader, supposedly an "A" burned into Dimmesdale's chest, which convinces him that his suspicions are correct.[2]Dimmesdale's psychological anguish deepens, and he invents new tortures for himself. In the meantime, Hester's charitable deeds and quiet humility have earned her a reprieve from the scorn of the community. One night, when Pearl is about seven years old, she and her mother are returning home from a visit to the deathbed of John Winthrop when they encounter Dimmesdale atop the town scaffold, trying to punish himself for his sins. Hester and Pearl join him, and the three link hands. Dimmesdale refuses Pearl's request that he acknowledge her publicly the next day, and a meteor marks a dull red "A" in the night sky. It is interpreted by the townsfolk to mean Angel, as a prominent figure in the community had died that night, but Dimmesdale sees it as meaning adultery. Hester can see that the minister's condition is worsening, and she resolves to intervene. She goes to Chillingworth and asks him to stop adding to Dimmesdale's self-torment. Chillingworth refuses. She suggests that she may reveal his true identity to Dimmesdale.[2]Later in the story, while walking through the forest, the sun would not shine on Hester, although Pearl could bask in it. They then encounter Dimmesdale, as he is taking a walk in the woods that day. Hester informs Dimmesdale of the true identity of Chillingworth and the former lovers decide to flee to Europe, where they can live with Pearl as a family. They will take a ship sailing from Boston in four days. Both feel a sense of release, and Hester removes her scarlet letter and lets down her hair. The sun immediately breaks through the clouds and trees to illuminate her release and joy. Pearl, playing nearby, does not recognize her mother without the letter. She is unnerved and expels a shriek until her mother points out the letter on the ground. Hester beckons Pearl to come to her, but Pearl will not go to her mother until Hester buttons the letter back onto her dress. Pearl then goes to her mother. Dimmesdale gives Pearl a kiss on the forehead, which Pearl immediately tries to wash off in the brook, because he again refuses to make known publicly their relationship. However, he too clearly feels a release from the pretense of his former life, and the laws and sins he has lived with.The day before the ship is to sail, the townspeople gather for a holiday put on in honor of an election and Dimmesdale preaches his most eloquent sermon ever. Meanwhile, Hester has learned that Chillingworth knows of their plan and has booked passage on the same ship. Dimmesdale, leaving the church after his sermon, sees Hester and Pearl standing before the town scaffold. He impulsively mounts the scaffold with his lover and his daughter, and confesses publicly, exposing the mark supposedly seared into the flesh of his chest. He falls dead just after Pearl kisses him.[2]Frustrated in his revenge, Chillingworth dies a year later. Hester and Pearl leave Boston, and no one knows what has happened to them. Many years later, Hester returns alone, still wearing the scarlet letter, to live in her old cottage and resumes her charitable work. She receives occasional letters from Pearl, who was rumored to have married a European aristocrat and established a family of her own. Pearl also inherits all of Chillingworth's money even though he knows she is not his daughter. There is a sense of liberation in her and the townspeople, especially the women, who had finally begun to forgive Hester of her tragic indiscretion. When Hester dies, she is buried in "a new grave near an old and sunken one, in that burial ground beside which King's Chapel has since been built. It was near that old and sunken grave, yet with a space between, as if the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle. Yet one tombstone served for both." The tombstone was decorated with a letter "A", for Hester and Dimmesdale.Character ListHester Prynne A young woman sent to the colonies by her husband, who plans to join her later but is presumed lost at sea. She is a symbol of the acknowledged sinner; one whose transgression has been identified and who makes appropriate, socio-religious atonement.(Hester Prynne is the central and most important character in The Scarlet Letter. Hester was married to Roger Chillingworth while living in England and, later, Amsterdam — a city to which many English Puritans moved for religious freedom. Hester preceded her husband to New England, as he had business matters to settle in Amsterdam, and after approximately two years in America she committed adultery with the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale.The novel begins as Hester nears the end of her prison term for adultery. While adultery was considered a grave threat to the Puritan community, such that death was considered a just punishment, the Puritan authorities weighed the long absence and possible death of her husband in their sentence. Thus, they settled on the punishment of permanent public humiliation and moral example: Hester was to forever wear the scarlet letter A on the bodice of her clothing.While seemingly free to leave the community and even America at her will, Hester chooses to stay. As the narrator puts it, "Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment; and so, perchance, the torture of her daily shame would at length purge her soul." According to this reasoning, Hester assumes her residence in a small abandoned cottage on the outskirts of the community.While the novel is, in large part, a record of the torment Hester suffers under the burden of her symbol of shame, eventually, after the implied marriage of her daughter Pearl and the death of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, Hester becomes an accepted and even a highly valued member of the community. Instead of being a symbol of scorn, Hester, and the letter A, according to the narrator, "became a type of something to be sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, yet with reverence too." The people of the community even come to Hester for comfort and counsel in times of trouble and sorrow because they trust her to offer unselfish advice toward the resolution of upsetting conflict. Thus, in the end, Hester becomes an important figure in preserving the peace and stability of the community.)Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale Dimmesdale is the unmarried pastor of Hester's congregation; he is also the father of Hester's daughter, Pearl. He is a symbol of the secret sinner; one who recognizes his transgression but keeps it hidden and secret, even to his own downfall.(Arthur Dimmesdale is the young, charismatic minister with whom Hester commits adultery. Unlike Hester, who bears the child Pearl by their affair, Dimmesdale shows no outward evidence of his sin, and, as Hester doesnot expose him, he lives with the great anguish of his secret guilt until he confesses publicly and soon after dies near the end of the novel.Dimmesdale is presented as a figure of frailty and weakness in contrast to Hester's strength (both moral and physical), pride, and determination. He consistently refuses to confess his sin (until the end), even though he repeatedly states that it were better, less spiritually painful, if his great failing were known. Thus Dimmesdale struggles through the years and the narrative, enduring and faltering beneath his growing pain (with both the help and harm of Roger Chillingworth), until, after his failed plan to escape to Europe with Hester and Pearl, he confesses and dies.)Pearl Pearl is the illegitimate daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. She is the living manifestation of Hester's sin and a symbol of the product of the act of adultery and of an act of passion and love.(Pearl is the daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Necessarily marginal to Puritan society and scorned by other children, she grows up as an intimate of nature and the forest. Symbolically recreating the scarlet letter, Hester, in opposition to her own drab wardrobe, dresses Pearl in brilliant, decorative clothing such "that there was an absolute circle of radiance about her."Like most characters in The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is complex and contradictory. On the one hand, as the narrator describes, she "could not be made amenable to rules." At one moment in the novel, her disregard of authority takes the form of a violent game where she pretends to destroy the children of the Puritan elders: "the ugliest weeds of the garden [she imagined were the elders'] children, whom Pearl smote down and uprooted, most unmercifully." On the other hand, at a climactic point in the narrative, where Hester discards the scarlet letter on the floor of the forest, it is Pearl who dramatically insists that she resume the potent symbol. The form of her insistence is particularly important, for, against her mother's request, she does not bring the letter to Hester, but obstinately has Hester fetch the letter herself. This moment demonstrates one of the central conflicted themes of the novel about the authoritarian imposition of law and the willing subjection to it, or even embodiment of it. In this scene Pearl becomes the figure of authority to whom Hester willingly, if symbolically, obeys. Pearl eventually leaves with Hester for Europe (though Hester returns), where, it is implied, Pearl stays and, with the aid of Chillingworth's inheritance, is married to nobility.)Roger Chillingworth The pseudonym assumed by Hester Prynne's aged scholar-husband. He is a symbol of evil, of the "devil's handyman," of one consumed with revenge and devoid of compassion.(Roger Chillingworth is the alias of Hester's husband. The two were married in England and moved together to Amsterdam before Hester preceded Chillingworth to America. Chillingworth is a man devoted to knowledge. His outward physical deformity (a hunchback) is symbolic of his devotion to deep, as opposed to superficial, knowledge. His lifelong study of apothecary and the healing arts, first in Europe and later among the Indians of America, is a sincere benevolent exercise until he discovers his wife's infidelity, whereupon he turns his skills toward the evil of revenge.Chillingworth is introduced near the very start of the narrative, where he discovers Hester upon the scaffold with Pearl, the scarlet letter upon her chest, and displayed for public shame. After surviving a shipwreck on his voyage to America, he lived for some time among the Indians and slowly made his way to Boston and Hester. Upon discovering Hester's "ignominious" situation, Chilling-worth declines to announce his identity and instead chooses to reside in Boston to find and avenge himself on Hester's lover. When Dimmesdale becomes ill with the effects of his sin, Chillingworth comes to live with him under the same roof. Reneging on an earlier promise, Hester eventually discloses Chillingworth's identity to Dimmesdale. Soon after Dimmesdale publicly confesses his sin and, as Chillingworth puts it, "Hadst thou sought the whole earth over there was no one place so secret, —no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me, —save on this very scaffold!" Thus, his vengeful victory taken from him, Chillingworth soon dies, though not before leaving all of his substantial wealth to Pearl.)Governor Bellingham This actual historical figure, Richard Bellingham, was elected governor in 1641, 1654, and 1665. In The Scarlet Letter, he witnesses Hester's punishment and is a symbol of civil authority and,combined with John Wilson, of the Puritan Theocracy.Mistress Hibbins Another historical figure, Ann Hibbins, sister of Governor Bellingham, was executed for witchcraft in 1656. In the novel, she has insight into the sins of both Hester and Dimmesdale and is a symbol of super or preternatural knowledge and evil powers.John Wilson The historical figure on whom this character is based was an English-born minister who arrived in Boston in 1630. He is a symbol of religious authority and, combined with Governor Bellingham, of the Puritan Theocracy.Character Analysis1.Hester PrynneWhat is most remarkable about Hester Prynne is her strength of character. While Hawthorne does not give a great deal of information about her life before the book opens, he does show her remarkable character, revealed through her public humiliation and subsequent, isolated life in Puritan society. Her inner strength, her defiance of convention, her honesty, and her compassion may have been in her character all along, but the scarlet letter brings them to our attention. She is, in the end, a survivor.Hester is physically described in the first scaffold scene as a tall young woman with a "figure of perfect elegance on a large scale." Her most impressive feature is her "dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam." Her complexion is rich, her eyes are dark and deep, and her regular features give her a beautiful face. In fact, so physically stunning is she that "her beauty shone out, and made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped."Contrast this with her appearance after seven years of punishment for her sin. Her beautiful hair is hidden under her cap, her beauty and warmth are gone, buried under the burden of the elaborate scarlet letter on her bosom. When she removes the letter and takes off her cap in Chapter 13, she once again becomes the radiant beauty of seven years earlier. Symbolically, when Hester removes the letter and takes off the cap, she is, in effect, removing the harsh, stark, unbending Puritan social and moral structure.Hester is only to have a brief respite, however, because Pearl angrily demands she resume wearing the scarlet A. With the scarlet letter and her hair back in place, "her beauty, the warmth and richness of her womanhood, departed, like fading sunshine; and a gray shadow seemed to fall across her." While her punishment changes her physical appearance, it has a far more profound effect on her character.What we know about Hester from the days prior to her punishment is that she came from a "genteel but impoverished English family" of notable lineage. She married the much older Roger Chillingworth, who spent long hours over his books and experiments; yet she convinced herself that she was happy. When they left Amsterdam for the New World, he sent her ahead, but he was reportedly lost at sea, leaving Hester alone among the Puritans of Boston. Officially, she is a widow. While not a Puritan herself, Hester looks to Arthur Dimmesdale for comfort and spiritual guidance. Somewhere during this period of time, their solace becomes passion and results in the birth of Pearl.The reader first meets the incredibly strong Hester on the scaffold with Pearl in her arms, beginning her punishment. On the scaffold, she displays a sense of irony and contempt. The irony is present in the elaborate needlework of the scarlet letter. There are "fantastic flourishes of gold-thread," and the letter is ornately decorative, significantly beyond the colony's laws that call for somber, unadorned attire. The first description of Hester notes her "natural dignity and force of character" and mentions specifically the haughty smile and strong glance that reveal no self-consciousness of her plight. While she might be feeling agony as if "her heart had been flung into the street for them all to spurn and trample upon," her face reveals no such thought, and her demeanor is described as "haughty." She displays a dignity and grace that reveals a deep trust in herself.In this first scene, Dimmesdale implores her to name the father of the baby and her penance may be lightened. Hester says "Never!" When asked again, she says "I will not speak!" While this declaration relieves Dimmesdale and he praises her under his breath, it also shows Hester's determination to stand alone despite the opinion of society. Hester's self-reliance and inner strength are further revealed in her defiance of the law and in her iron will during her confrontation with the governor of the colony.Despite her lonely existence, Hester somehow finds an inner strength to defy both the townspeople and thelocal government. This defiance becomes stronger and will carry her through later interviews with both Chillingworth and Governor Bellingham. Her determination and lonely stand is repeated again when she confronts Governor Bellingham over the issue of Pearl's guardianship. When the governor determines to take Pearl away from her, Hester says, "God gave me the child! He gave her in requital of all things else, which he had taken from me . . . Ye shall not take her! I will die first!" When pressed further with assurances of Pearl's good care, Hester defiantly pleads with him, "God gave her into my keeping. I will not give her up!" Here Hester turns to Dimmesdale for help, the one time in the novel where she does not stand alone.Hester's strength is evident in her dealings with both her husband and her lover. Hester defies Chillingworth when he demands to know the name of her lover. In Chapter 4, when he interviews her in the jail, she firmly says, "Ask me not! That thou shalt never know!" In the forest scene, even Dimmesdale acknowledges that she has the strength he lacks. The minister calls on her to give him strength to overcome his indecisiveness twice in the forest and again as he faces his confession on Election Day.What is the source of this strength? As she walks out on the scaffold at the beginning of the novel, Hester determines that she must "sustain and carry" her burden forward "by the ordinary resources of her nature, or sink with it. She could no longer borrow from the future to help her through the present." Her loneliness is described in the Chapter 5 as she considers how she can support herself and Pearl, a problem that she solves with her needlework. Yet she continues to lack adult companionship throughout her life. She has nothing but her strength of spirit to sustain her. This inner calm is recognized in the changing attitude of the community when they acknowledge that the A is for "Able," "so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength."A second quality of Hester is that she is, above all, honest: She openly acknowledges her sin. In Chapter 17, she explains to Dimmesdale that she has been honest in all things except in disclosing his part in her pregnancy. "A lie is never good, even though death threaten on the other side!" She also explains to Chillingworth that, even in their sham of a marriage, "thou knowest that I was frank with thee. I felt no love, nor feigned any." She kept her word in carrying her husband's secret identity, and she tells the minister the truth only after she is released from her pledge. This life of public repentance, although bitter and difficult, helps her retain her sanity while Dimmesdale seems to be losing his.Finally, Hester becomes an angel of mercy who eventually lives out her life as a figure of compassion in the community. Hester becomes known for her charitable deeds. She offers comfort to the poor, the sick, and the downtrodden. When the governor is dying, she is at his side. "She came, not as a guest, but as a rightful inmate, into the household that was darkened by trouble." Yet Hester's presence is taken for granted, and those that she helps do not acknowledge her on the street.Hawthorne attributes this transformation to her lonely position in the world and her suffering. No friend, no companion, no foot crossed the threshold of her cottage. In her solitude, she had a great deal of time to think. Also, Hester has Pearl to raise, and she must do so amid a great number of difficulties. Her shame in the face of public opinion, her loneliness and suffering, and her quiet acceptance of her position make her respond to the calamities of others.In the end, Hester's strength, honesty, and compassion carry her through a life she had not imagined. While Dimmesdale dies after his public confession and Chillingworth dies consumed by his own hatred and revenge, Hester lives on, quietly, and becomes something of a legend in the colony of Boston. The scarlet letter made her what she became, and, in the end, she grew stronger and more at peace through her suffering.2.Arthur DimmesdaleDimmesdale, the personification of "human frailty and sorrow," is young, pale, and physically delicate. He has large, melancholy eyes and a tremulous mouth, suggesting great sensitivity. An ordained Puritan minister, he is well educated, and he has a philosophical turn of mind. There is no doubt that he is devoted to God, passionate in his religion, and effective in the pulpit. He also has the principal conflict in the novel, and his agonized suffering is the direct result of his inability to disclose his sin.Of the four major characters in this novel, which investigates the nature of evil and sin and is a criticism of Puritan rigidity and intolerance, Dimmesdale is the only Puritan. One really cannot understand Dimmesdale or his dilemma without at least a cursory understanding of the Puritans who inhabited Boston at this time (see theessay "The Puritan Community" in the Critical Essays) and Hawthorne's psychological perspective through which he presents this tragic character.In Puritan terms, Dimmesdale's predicament is that he is unsure of his soul's status: He is exemplary in performing his duties as a Puritan minister, an indicator that he is one of the elect; however, he knows he has sinned and considers himself a hypocrite, a sign he is not chosen. The vigils he keeps are representative of this inward struggle to ascertain his heavenly status, the status of his very soul. Note that Hawthorne says of Dimmesdale's nightly vigils, which are sometimes in darkness, sometimes in dim light, and sometimes by the most powerful light which he could throw upon it, "He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured . . ."Finally, to add to the Dimmesdale dilemma, the Puritans — therefore, Dimmesdale — did not believe that good works or moral living earned salvation for the individual. As Dimmesdale states, "There is no substance in it [good works]." (Hester, who is not Puritan, believes that Dimmesdale's good works should bring him peace.) The Puritan reasoning was that, if one could earn his/her way into heaven, God's sovereignty is diminished. Since God created the soul and infused it in the human body, salvation is predestined. They reasoned that the elect — that is, God's chosen people — would not or could not commit evil acts; they would act the role, as it were; thus, Dimmesdale's dilemma.As a minister, Dimmesdale has a voice that consoles and an ability to sway audiences. His congregation adores him and his parishioners seek his advice. As a minister, Dimmesdale must be above reproach, and there is no question that he excels at his profession and enjoys a reputation among his congregation and other ministers. His soul aside, he does do good works. His ministry aids people in leading good lives. If he publicly confesses, he loses his ability to be effective in this regard.For Dimmesdale, however, his effectiveness betrays his desire to confess. The more he suffers, the better his sermons become. The more he whips himself, the more eloquent he is on Sunday and the more his congregation worships his words. Nevertheless, Hawthorne states in Chapter 20, "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true."Dimmesdale's struggle is dark and his penance is horrifying as he tries to unravel his mystery. In Chapter 11, "The Interior of a Heart," Dimmesdale struggles with his knowledge of his sin, his inability to disclose it to Puritan society, and his desire for penance. He knows his actions have fallen short of both God's standards and his own, and he fears this represents his lack of salvation. In an attempt to seek salvation, he fasts until he faints and whips himself on the shoulders until he bleeds. But these punishments are done in private rather than in public and do not provide the cleansing Dimmesdale seeks and needs.As a sinner, he is weakened to temptation. As demonstrated later, his weakened condition makes it easier for him to associate himself with the Black Man in the forest. His congregation expects him to be above other mortals, and his life and thoughts must exist on a higher spiritual plane than others. Accordingly, his wonderful sermons are applauded by all for a reason his listeners don't understand: Sin and agony have enabled the intellectual scholar-minister to recognize and empathize with other sinners.In the forest scene, Dimmesdale evidently realizes that he is human and should ask forgiveness and do penance openly. On the way home, he sees how far his defenses have been breached by evil. These thoughts explain why he can so easily write his Election Day sermon, which is filled with the passion of his struggle and his humanity.Dimmesdale's confession in the third scaffold scene and the climax of the story is the action that ensures his salvation. The reader senses that whether chosen or earned, Dimmesdale's salvation is a reality. Having had several opportunities to confess, without success until this scene, true to his nature if not his ministry, he asks God's forgiveness not only for himself, but also for Chillingworth, who confirms the minister's triumph when he laments, "Thou hast escaped me! . . . Thou hast escaped me!" Dimmesdale's confession also brings about Pearl's humane metamorphosis.In the long run, Dimmesdale has not the strength of Hester Prynne or her honesty. He cannot stand alone to confess. In death, perhaps he will find a gentler judgment that his own or that of his fellow citizens of Boston.。
摘要:在英美文学作品中,人物特殊的命名是一种常见的写作手法。
19世纪美国浪漫主义作家霍桑在其代表作《红字》中就运用了各种不同方法来为四个主要人物(Hester Prynne,Arthur Dimmesdale,Roger Chillingworth, Pearl)命名,从而让他们代表着善恶美丑等种种不同的道德寓意。
这些名字都蕴含着作者为揭示作品人物性格和命运而煞费苦心为他们赋予特殊命名的苦心。
本文力图通过准确地揭示出这些人名的寓意来帮助读者更全面深入地把握作品的主题。
关键词:主题;象征意义;特殊命名;寓意在英美文学作品中,人物特殊的命名是一种常见的写作手法。
正如余江涛、张瑞德等编译的《西方文学术语词典》所言:“塑造人物有多种方法。
最简单的一种就是给人物命名,每一个‘称呼’都可以使人物变得生动活泼、栩栩如生和富于个性。
有的给人物起绰号,有的根据人物的性格特征命名,有的根据人物外貌或生理特点等命名”。
在当年英国作家威廉·朗格伦的《农夫彼尔斯》和约翰·班扬的《天路历程》这类宗教小说中,就曾把七大罪恶或人的品德变成具体人物登场。
美国十九世纪杰出的浪漫主义小说家霍桑在其代表作《红字》中所采用的象征比拟笔法则是在此基础上的创新。
为了让小说中的人物形象丰富多彩,他采取了种种方法为四个主要人物(Hester Prynne,Arthur Dimmesdale,Roger Chillingworth,Pearl)命名,从而让他们代表着善恶美丑等种种不同的道德寓意。
这些名字都蕴含着作者为揭示作品人物性格和命运而煞费苦心为他们赋予特殊命名的苦心。
本文力图通过准确地揭示出这些人名的寓意来帮助读者更全面深入地把握作品的主题。
一Hester Prynne仅从女主角海斯特的名字———Hester,我们可以推测出她的形象和性格特征。
首先,看到Hester这个名字,读者便会把她与希腊神话中宙斯的姐姐Hastia联系起来。
《红字》英文读后感(最终5篇)第一篇:《红字》英文读后感The Scarlet Letter offers an extraordinary insight into the norms and behavior of the 17th century if American puritan society.The basic conflicts and problems of its main characters, however, are familiar to readers in the present.The female protagonist, has borne a child out of wedlock and has been jailed for over three months and sentenced to wear a symbol of her adultery, a scarlet “A” on her dress at all times.It concerns about the moral, emotional and psychological effect of the sin on people in gener al.It’s not simply a love story or a story of sin.The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the scarlet letters to symbolize the harshness of puritan society, showing how they brand sinners for life.The story happened in Boston about 200 years ago.It narrates love affairs between three persons.The punished woman.Hester prynne and his husband.Who called himself Roger Chillingworth.He is an old misshapen man and a doctor.Hester does not love him at all.Another man is a young minister, Dimmesdale, who has a high position among ministers and is highly respected among his people in town.Hester and Dimmesdale love each other.But their love is forbidden in that time.It is sinful.Due to this,Hester is punished by society with a letter A on her chest, which considered an evil, a shame.In this novel, the mainline seems to be around the letter A.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.When a woman has lived through a difficultexperience, her character changes a great deal.If she be all tenderness, she will die.If she survive, the tenderness will leave her.Hester’s 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.Never afterwards, does that scarlet letter leave her chest.The townspeople no longer view the letter as a punishment , but rather as representing her great strength and bravery and thy say it means “Able”.But Arthur Dimmesdale, his sin against Hester and pearl is that he will not acknowledge them as his wife and daughter in the daylight.He keeps his dreadful secret from all those under his care in the church for seven years for fear that he will lose their love and will not be forgiven.He is too weak to admit his sins.He suffers from mysterious heart trouble, seemingly caused by psychological distress.What’s worse, he is an advisor to the townspeople about their sins.After Mr.Dimmesdale’s death , no one changes more in appearance than Roger Chilling worth.All his strength and energy has been used to harm his patient.This unhappy man has made his aim in life to add to the suffering of the young minister.When the evil old man no longer has such a purpose, the devil takes him back to the hell.It is a curious subject of observation, however, whether hatred or love are not of the same place.Each takes a great deal of emotion from one person.The two feelings seem basically the same, expect that one is smiled upon by God, while the other is worshipped by the devil.The two lovers has ever decided to flee to Europe, where they can live with their dauthter pearl as a family.They feel a sense of release there.However, their plan fails…… When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale.The two share a single tombstone, with adeep colored letter A shining brightly.第二篇:《红字》英文读后感《红字》英文读后感The Scarlet Letter offers an extraordinary insight into the norms and behavior of the 17th century if American Puritan society.The basic conflicts and problems of its main characters, however, are familiar to readers in the present.The female protagonist, has borne a child out of wedlock and has been jailed for over three months and sentenced to wear a symbol of her adultery, a scarlet “A” on her dress at all times.It concerns about the moral, emotional andpsychological effect of the sin on people ingeneral.It’s not simply a love story or a story of sin.The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the scarlet letters to symbolize the harshness of Puritan society, showing how they brand sinners for life.The story happened in Boston about 200 yearsago.It narrates love affairs between three persons.The punished woman.Hester Prynne and his husband.Who called himself Roger Chillingworth.He is an old misshapen man and a doctor.Hester does not love him at all.Another man is a young minister, Dimmesdale, who has a high position among ministers and is highly respected among his people in town.Hester and Dimmesdale love each other.But their love is forbidden in that time.It is sinful.Due to this,Hester is punished by society with a letterA on her chest, which considered an evil, a shame.In this novel, the mainline seems to be around the letter A.Hester is brave enough to face thecruel reality.She is always with a mind of courage.She hasbeen 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.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’s 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.Never afterwards, does that scarlet letter leave herchest.The townspeople no longer view the letter as a punishment , but rather as representing her great strength and bravery and thy say it means “Able”.But Arthur Dimmes dale, his sin against Hester and Pearl is that he will not acknowledge them as his wife and daughter in the daylight.He keeps his dreadful secret from all those under his care in the church for seven years for fear that he will lose their love and will not be forgiven.He is too weak to admit his sins.He suffers from mysterious heart trouble, seemingly caused by psychological distress.What’s worse, he is an advisor to the townspeople about their sins.After Mr.Dimmesdale’s death , no one changes more in appearance than Roger Chilling worth.All his strength and energy has been used to harm hispatient.This unhappy man has made his aim in life to add to the suffering of the young minister.When the evil old man no longer has such a purpose, the devil takes him back to the hell.It is a curious subject of observation, however, whether hatred or love are not of the same place.Each takes a great deal of emotion from one person.The two feelings seem basically the same,expect that one is smiled upon by God, while the other is worshipped by the devil.The two lovers has ever decided to flee to Europe, where they can live with their dauthter Pearl as a family.They feel a sense of release there.However, their plan fails…… When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale.T he two share a single tombstone, with a deep colored letter A shining brightly.092003163709英本6班周扬琳第三篇:红字英文读后感The Scarlet Letter offers an extraordinary insight into the norms and behavior of the 17th century if American Puritan society.The basic conflicts and problems of its main characters, however, are familiar to readers in the present.The female protagonist, has borne a child out of wedlock and has been jailed for over three months and sentenced to wear a symbol of her adultery, a scarlet “A” on her dress at all times.It concerns about the moral, emotional and psychological effect of the sin on people in general.It’s not simply a love story or a story of sin.The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the scarlet letters to symbolize the harshness of Puritan society, showing how they brand sinners for life.The story happened in Boston about 200 years ago.It narrates love affairs between three persons.The punished woman.Hester Prynne and his husband.Who called himself Roger Chillingworth.He is an old misshapen man and a doctor.Hester does not love him at all.Another man is a young minister, Dimmesdale, who has a high position among ministers and is highly respected among his people in town.Hester and Dimmesdale love each other.But their love is forbidden in that time.It is sinful.Due to this,Hester is punished by society with aletter A on her chest, which considered an evil, a shame.In this novel, the mainline seems to be around the letter A.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.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’s 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.Never afterwards, does that scarlet letter leave her chest.The townspeople no longer view the letter as a punishment , but rather as representing her great strength and bravery and thy say it means “Able”.But Arthur Dimmesdale, his sin against Hester and Pearl is that he will not acknowledge them as his wife and daughter in the daylight.He keeps his dreadful secret from all those under his care in the church for seven years for fear that he will lose their love and will not be forgiven.He is too weak to admit his sins.He suffers from mysterious heart trouble, seemingly caused by psychological distress.What’s worse, he is an advisor to the townspeople about their si ns.After Mr.Dimmesdale’s death , no one changes more in appearance than Roger Chilling worth.All his strength and energy has been used to harm his patient.This unhappy man has made his aim in life to add to the suffering of the young minister.When the evil old man no longer has such a purpose, the devil takes him back to the hell.It is a curious subject of observation, however, whether hatred or love are not of the sameplace.Each takes a great deal of emotion from one person.The two feelings seem basically the same, expect that one is smiled upon by God, while the other is worshipped by the devil.The two lovers has ever decided to flee to Europe, where they can live with their dauthter Pearl as a family.They feel a sense of release there.However, their plan fails…… When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale.The two share a single tombstone, with a deep colored letter A shining brightly.通知:明天十点至一月四日晚上十二点选课。
红字人物角度分析英文Characters in The Scarlet LetterHester PrynneThe heroine in the novel. The story is all about her life. And she wore the scarlet letter on her breast. She was a heroine, because she lived bravely in the society with deep gender differences and confirmedly chose the true love which is suitable for her. She was a heroine, because she was a real individual and dare to challenge the gender concept in people’s mind with her own action. Moreover, she was not only the representative of independence but of kindness and happiness. She had kept her shirt on for several years and did good deeds, which won people’s forgiveness and respect. And the scarlet letter “A” stood for adultery on her breast finally became the symbol of angel(A).DimmesdaleDimmesdale was a minister but actually the lover of Hester and Pearl’s father. The key to understand the character Dimmesdale is not his piety but his excessive reliance on the impact from social ideas, which locked himself in a moral prison. He sank into a self-torture because of his sense of guilty. The scarlet letter stood for adultery brand both on his breast and his heart. In most of chapters he was the helpless victim for he was a sinner in his theology creed which led him to find a way out through religion spirit. He dared not to hold the opposite idea with society. On account of the loss of his statue, he was not brave enough to admit the relationship with Hester. He was divisive deep in his mind. Seriously speaking, he was the prey of Puritanism.ChillingworthHe is Hester’s ex-husband and the real villain in the novel. He is the so-called represent of knowledge and the most determined supporter of a male ideology in the Puritan society. In other word, he could be seen as the maker of the scarlet letter. He was like the Satan since he spied and torment Dimmesdale’s heart. He was guilty because he violated the most beautiful and natural desire of humanity. As a result, his destiny was miserable that he died soon after Dimmesdale killed himself.Pearl。
An Interpretation of Roger Chillingworth
学校:徐州师范大学专业:商贸英语姓名:陈伟“The Scarlet Letter”as the Hawthorne’s masterpiece is a world-known tragic novel. It shows different characters vividly through delicate description and profound psychological analysis. Roger Chillingworth, one of the main characters in this long story “The Scarlet Letter,” is an ugly old man. To some extent, the image undergoes a declining transformation from God, to Satan, and finally back to human nature.
At the beginning, it sounds offensive to say there are some factors of God in Chilingworth, at least not a born one. From the story, we know that he used to be “a pure and upright man,”“a wise and just man”. In the first few chapters, he seems to be flawless, who has absolute right to make judgment over other people. Latterly, he appears in the town when Dimmesdale is in poor health, and is hailed an angel by some townspeople, sent by God, just when a physician is badly needed. In front of him, other main characters are sinful, especially Hester Prynne and Authur Dimmesdale.
Next, just describing Roger Chillingworth as Satan because of his kinds of evil behaviors, which plays a key role in this vicious transformation. He is the producer of “A”, the embodiment of evil. Form the name Roger Chillingworth, we can find some implied meanings. Chillingworth’s partial tone is “chill”, which just tell readers his personality. When Chllingworth knows that his wife has relationship with Dimmesdale and is also pregnant, psychological revenge occurs to him. In order to punish Dimmesdale, he losts his reason and kindness, and takes pleasure of punishing him, what he does makes him become more and more sinful. However, when Dimmesdale died, he has not been happy for that, just like losting sopporting point, “so that he is completely wilted and faded...like uprooted weeds being withered under the bright sunshine.”
At last, after Chillingworth’s death, according to his testament, he bequeaths his considerable property to Hester’s daughter Pearl, e ven though she is not his own. This
action, I think, is confession to what he did previously, and representation of his return to human beings’ nature. Therefore, Chillingworth is not so selfish and evil in essence.
From the transformation of kind, to evil, finally back to nature, we can see that the character of Chillingworth is not only a flat one, but also a complex one, which need us to read and analysis deeply.。