红字摘要abstract of the scarlet letter.docVIP

Abstract The Scarlet Letter is a classic masterpiece in the American literature of romantic period in the 19th century. In this novel, Hawthorne employs a lot of symbols, which have repercussions about the plot, the characters and the theme of the work. The primary focus of this essay is to expound Hawthorne’s employment of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter through the analysis of the chief symbol —scarlet letter A as well as the four leading characters—Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, Pearl. This thesis also attempts to describe some color symbols such as red, grey and black. Besides, many vivid settings are quite significant and unforgettable. The delicate feeling, the rich experience of life, the complicated, social phenomenon and the essence of the human nature’s conflict are all displayed by symbols. Hawthorne can express his idea guiding literary creation more freely and more fully through symbolic technique. The symbols in the Scarlet Letter are of its own characteristics, which not only have many meanings, but also are quite systematic and metaphorical. The result of the essay indicates that this novel’s influence in literature goes far beyond its time. It is hoped that this study will provide further insights into the symbolism in Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter. Key words: The Scarlet Letter, symbols, Hawthorne Bibiliography [1] Charles Leavitt. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables [M] 北京：, 1997 [2] 毛信德 美国小说纲史 [M] 北京北京出版社, 1988 [] 柯恩. 美国划时代作品评论集(朱立民译) [M] 北京三联书店, 1988. [] 吴伟仁. 美国文学史及选读学习指南[M]. 北京: 中央民族大学出版社, 2002. [] 朱刚. 二十世纪西方文艺批评理论[M] 上海: 上海外语教育出版社, 2005. [] 霍桑著.熊玉鹏, 姚乃强译.红字[M].北京:北京燕山出版社, 2000. [] 任晓晋, 魏玲《红字》中象征与原型的模糊性, 多义性和矛盾性[J].外国文学研究, 2000, (1). [] 张晶. 从《红字》中语言的多义性说起 [J] 外国语言文学季刊), 2005, (2).[9] 龚翰熊. 现代西方文学思潮 [M] 成都四川大学出版社1987. [10] 吴亮章平宗仁发. 象征主义小说 [M] 北京:时代文艺出版社1989. [11] 金晓琳《红字》中象征手法的运用特色 [J] 西南民族大学学报2004, (5).