On Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter A论《红字》中的象征主义.docx

1、On Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter A论红字中的象征主义On Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter “A”论红字中的象征主义Abstract: THE SCARLET LETTER is regarded as the first American symbolic novel for the vivid using of symbolism in this novel. Hawthornes use of symbolism in this novel is one of the most significant contribut

2、ions to the rise of American Literature. This paper attempts to expound the features of symbolism use in this novel through the analysis of three aspects: the multi-connotational feature, the systematic feature and the metaphorical feature.Firstly, the multi-connotational feature is perfectly shown

3、by the scarlet letter “A”, which symbolizes “adultery”, “alone”, “angle” and some other special characteristics. Meanwhile, Pearl and Dimmesdale are the other symbol of multi-connotations. Secondly, from matters, details, characters to backgrounds or even actions, they are all, without any exception

4、, possessed of symbolic meanings, which is the other feature of the symbolism use in this novel i.e. the systematic feature. In addition, Hawthorne broke the rule of traditional symbolism and directly expressed his own subjective feelings, which made this novel metaphorical.In conclusion, the variou

5、s features of symbolism using in THE SCARLET LETTER makes the novel a work of the world.Key words: THE SCARLET LETTER, symbolism, multi-connotation, systematization, metaphorization 摘 要:红字被认为美国第一部象征性小说，霍桑在这部作品中运用象征主义手法为美国文学做出了显著的贡献，是一大进步。本文试图阐明象征主义的用途和特点。在这本章中通过对三个方面的分析:多层意义的特点、系统化和隐喻的特点。 首先, 多隐含义的特

6、点由红字A完全显示, 象征通奸,单独,角度和其它特征。同时, 珠儿和梅斯丁代尔牧师是多内涵的另一标志。第二, 从事态、细节、人物、背景及行动方面, 他们是贯穿始终的。拥有象征性意思,和象征主义用途另一特点在这本小说里，即系统的特点。另外,霍桑打破了传统象征主义的特点，直接地表现出他自己的主观感觉, 使这本小说带有隐喻的特点。 总而言之, 作者在作品中采用的象征手法贯穿始终、无处不在。红字使美国作家霍桑誉满全球。关键词：红字；象征主义；多隐含义；系统；隐喻Contents Abstract-i摘要-iiContents-iiiIntroduction-11. The Multi-connotat

7、ion of Symbolism-11.1 Multi-connotations of the Scarlet Letter “A”-21.2 Multi-connotations of Pearl-71.3 Multi-connotations of Arthur Dimmesdale-112. The Systematization of Symbolism-122.1 Custom House-122.2 Prison-132.3 Ann Hutchinson & Rosebush -142.4 Forest-152.5 The Small Brook-182.6 Other Chara

8、cters-183. The Metaphorization of Symbolism-20Conclusion-21Bibliography-22 Acknowledgements-23IntroductionNathaniel Hawthorne was one of the greatest romanticism novelists in 19th Century America. Meanwhile, as the founder of American novel, Hawthorne, together with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Wa

9、shington Irving, were regarded as the three immortal great minds in 19th Century. However, only Hawthorne survived in the storms of transvaluations in 20th Century. To a great extent, the survival of Hawthorne is due to his THE SCARLET LETTER. THE SCARLET LETTER is regarded as the most outstanding m

10、asterpiece of Hawthorne and the most prestigious authoritative work among all the American romanticism novels. There are various artistic features in THE SCARLET LETTER. This novel described the fantastic romantic atmospheres as well as the specific mental activities, while the most important featur

11、e is the symbolism used in this novel. Therefore, THE SCARLET LETTER is regarded as the first American symbolic novel. This kind of artistic form imposed great influence upon the development of American novel. This paper attempts to expound the features of symbolism use in THE SCARLET LETTER.1. The

12、Multi-connotation of SymbolismSymbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. No matter what characters or places, actions or objects they are, they are all endowed with the meanings which may be beyond their own so as to obtain concrete or material

13、forms of those thoughts or emotions of characters and those abstract concepts. “Hawthorne wanted to spiritualize the issue and have his tales say that matter doesnt matter, spirit is all, the body is mere clay, and passion is poison. He said that all things have spirits, just like the relation betwe

14、en soul and body. This point of view decided that Hawthorne lay emphasis on using symbols to disclose the obscure meanings behind objective matters rather than relied on the actual descriptions of objective matters when creating his works.” There are many symbols used in THE SCARLET LETTER, some of

15、which are obvious while some others are obscure. Hawthorne endowed almost every character, circumstance, action in THE SCARLET LETTER with certain symbolic meanings. Thus the first feature is obvious, that is the multi-connotation of symbolism. There are three symbols throughout the novel. The scarl

16、et letter “A” is a typical symbol, and Pearl and Dimmesdale are the other multi-工业connotationals.1.1 Multi-connotations of the Scarlet Letter “A”In this novel, the meanings of the scarlet letter “A” shifts as time passes. It shows growth in the characters, and the community in which they live.The sc

17、arlet letter “A” in this novel begins as a symbol of punishment. Hawthorne wrote in his American notebooks in 1845 “life of a woman, who, by the old colony law, was condemned always to wear the letter A, sewed on her garment, in token of her having committed adultery.”(Gerber, 1968: 17) Hester commi

18、tted the crime of adultery, so she was punished by the Calvinism in a way of wearing the scarlet “A” (the first letter of the word “Adultery”). Hester naturally felt ashamed of the symbol because “oftentimes, she could scarcely refrain, yet always did refrain from covering the symbol with her hand.”

19、 (Hawthorne, 2003: 79) She refrained herself because Pearl was born out of the sin and it was Pearl, the little life, who revived her meaning of living. It was because of Pearl that Hester chose to be tough and to stay at the place where she had committed her sin. There is an unforgettable scene in

20、this novel: when Hester and Pearl saw the armor in the governors hall, “Hester looked, by way of humoring the child, and she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerated feature of her appearance.” (Hawthorne, 2003: 97) The Puritan s

21、ociety utmostly overstated individual sin and its ponderance so that ones soul and character was killed. On this level, the scarlet letter “A” is a symbol of punishment. While on the other aspect, it is a way of punishment implemented by the religio-political authorities.The scarlet letter “A” is al

22、so a symbol of Hesters life in New England, which was alone and alienative. After she was released from the prison, she lived in a small thatched cottage “on the outskirts of the town, within the verge of the peninsula, but not in close vicinity to any other habitation” (Hawthorne, 2003: 74) and “it

23、s comparative remoteness put it out of the sphere of that social activity which already marked the habits of the emigrants.” (Hawthorne, 2003: 75) It was in there that Hester with her little infant lived a life by her delicate needlework and it was in there that Pearl grew up.The scarlet letter “A”

24、stands for amour, shame and so-called peoples original sin. Hester put it on bravely, which meant that she had committed her guilt. Meanwhile, in the deepest place of those sanctimonious ones hearts hide much more irremissible crimes. Hester had endured all kinds of pressures and insults. She perfec

25、ted and sublimed herself from a plain woman to a new lady who was able to think, to observe and to resist when fighting with the persecution of Puritanism. In this seven years ever since Pearl was born, Hester lived a pure life. The townspeople who once condemned her began to believe the scarlet let

26、ter to stand for her ability to her beautiful needlework and for her unselfish assistance to the poor and sick. “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness is found in her so much power to do and power to sympathize-that many people refuses to interpret the scarlet letter A by its or

27、iginal signification.”(Hawthorne, 2003: 146) At this point, a lot of the townspeople realized what a noble character Hester possessed. “Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? It is our Hester-the towns own Hester-who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the aff

28、licted!”(Hawthorne, 2003: 147) The townspeople soon began to believe that the badge served to ward off evil, and Hester grew to be quite admirable amongst the people of the town. Hester overcame the shame of her sin through the purity and goodness of her soul. Unselfishly offering her time and love

29、to those who needed her most proved that she was not worthy of the fate which had been dealt to her. The scarlet letter “A” became a symbol of “able”, “admirable”, “affection” and “angel”.The scarlet letter “A” can also be taken as a memorial of Dimmesdales sin. Dimmesdale was a combination of contradictory elements. On the surface, he was regarded as the saint by his followers. However, it was