Scarlet Letter《红字》英文版.doc

Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne Preface to Second Edition 　　Much to the authors surprise and (if he may say so without additional offence) considerably to his amusement, he finds that his sketch of official life, introductory to The Scarlet Letter, has created an unprecedented excitement in the respectable community immediately around him. It could hardly have been more violent, indeed, had he burned down the Custom-House, and quenched its last smoke in the blood of a certain venerable personage against whom he is supposed to cherish a peculiar malevolence. As the public disapprobation would weigh very heavily on him, were he conscious of deserving it, the author begs leave to say that he has carefully read over the introductory pages, with a purpose to alter or expunge whatever might be found amiss, and to make the best reparation in his power for the atrocities of which he has been adjudged guilty. But it appears to him that the only remarkable features of the sketch are its frank and genuine good-humour, and the general accuracy with which he has conveyed his sincere impressions of the characters therein described. As to enmity or ill-feeling of any kind, personal or political, he utterly disclaims such motives. The sketch might, perhaps, have been wholly omitted, without loss to the public, or detriment to the book; but having undertaken to write it, he conceives that it could not have been done in a better or a kindlier spirit, nor, so far as his abilities availed, with a livelier effect of truth. 　　The author is constrained, therefore, to republish his introductory sketch without the change of a word. Salem, March 30, 1850 Chapter 1 The Prison-door 　　A throng of bearded men, in sad-coloured garments and gray steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes. 　　The founders of a new colony, whatever U