美国文学——红字Unit 4 the Scarlet Letter.ppt

    I TOPIC: The Scarlet Letter―The Market of Place II OBJECTIVES: A) Introduction to the romance B) The main idea of the novel and the themes C) Comment on the main characters D) Symbolic significance of the scarlet letter “A” E) Study of the chapter ﹡The main idea of Chapter 2 ﹡Analysis of the image of Hester Prynne (Chapter 2) ﹡Stylistic features ﹡Narrative technique The Scarlet Letter — A romance of psychological paradox  ﹡ A romance of psychological paradox  Key words: ◆ effects or consequences of the sin ◆ the tension between society and individuals ◆ a sense of historical reality and an air of authenticity ◆ Dimmesdale’s remorse; Chillingworth’s psychological revenge and Hester’s speculation on the possibilities of human condition. ◆ the complexity of human psychology  ﹡ It is about adultery, but not about sex.  Key words: ◆ classic portrayal of Puritan America ◆ the passionate, forbidden love affair ﹡It is about punishment, but not about crime. Key words: ◆ to hide sin ◆ to wither spiritually as well as physically ◆ condemnation and purify ◆ to revenge ◆to accept punishment and get new life Topic 2―The main idea of the novel and the themes The main idea: Key words: ◆ An aging English scholar Chillingworth ◆ a scarlet letter “A” on one’s breast ◆ illicit child . ◆ to disguise as a physician and change one’s name ◆ the truth ◆ to reestablish fellowship ◆ to confess sin ◆ Pearl’s fate The themes: The story is seemingly simple, but it relates the allegory of sinners and the conflict between intellect and natural emotion so that we see not only the author’s judgment of the 17th century Puritan society but also his clear perception of human psychology and the human indictment in almost any human community. The thematic concern of the author is not so much about