霍桑红字的意义.pptVIP

The most important symbol which is carried throughout the novel is undoubtedly the scarlet letter A.? The A appears in many other places than on the chest of Hester Prynne. It is seen on the armor breastplate at Governor Bellinghams mansion ? At night while Dimmesdale is standing on the scaffold he sees a bright red letter A in the sky.? While Pearl is playing near the bay shore she arranges some grass in the form of an A on her own breast.? But one of the most important As is one the spectators see burnt on Dimmesdales chest.  In the novel, the scarlet letter A changes its meaning many different times. This change is significant. It shows growth in the characters, and the community in which they live.  A symbol of sin A symbol of alone and alienation A symbol of able, angel and admirable. Adultery The letter A, worn on Hesters bosom, is a symbol of her adultery against Roger Chillingworth. This is the puritan way of treating her as a criminal, for the crime of adultery. The puritan treatment continues, because as Hester walks through the streets, she will be looked down upon as if she is some sort of demon from hell that commits a terrible crime. This letter is meant to be worn in shame, and to make Hester feel unwanted. Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment…(P74)“ Hester is ashamed of her sin, but she chooses not to show it. She commits this sin in the heat of passion, and fully admits it because, though she is ashamed, she also receives her greatest treasure, Pearl, out of it. She is a very strong woman to be able to hold up so well against what she must face. Many will have fled Boston, and seek a place where no one knows of her great sin. Hester chooses to stay though, which shows a lot of strength and integrity. Any woman with enough nerve to hold up against a town, which despises her very existence, and to stay in a place where her daughter is referred t