浅析红字中的象征主义手法.docx

_An Analysis of Symbolism in The Scarlet LetterByTang GuaiguaiUnder the Supervisor ofZhu LipingSubmitted in Partial Fulfillment of the RequirementsFor the Degree of Bachelor of ArtsEnglish Department School of Foreign LanguagesLanzhou Jiaotong UniversityJune 2015_摘要纳桑尼尔.霍桑是美国19世纪浪漫主义小说家.处在美国文艺复兴时期的霍桑，崇尚民主与自由,而同时又不能完全摆脱心灵深处清教思想的束缚。因而他既是一个清教势力的批判者，又是清教思想的继承者。红字是霍桑长篇小说的代表作。其突出的艺术特色是其丰富的象征主义，因此被称为第一部象征主义小说. 小说中各种事物的象征寓意都呈现出多义性、系统性、和隐晦性。本文拟从小说红字“A”,这一贯穿全文的意象，主要人物的名字以及场景描写等这三方面来探讨其多重的象征主义。通过分析作品中的各种象征主义来揭示作者的创作意图,从而更好地理解小说的主旨。第一章主要介绍了霍桑和红字及相关研究，并简单解释了象征主义及其作用。主体部分分为三部分，第一部分分析红色字母A随着故事情节发展而具有的不同的象征意义即通奸痛苦能干天使。第二部分详细阐述了四个主要人物名字的象征意义，美丽直率的海斯特，孤僻忧郁的丁梅斯代尔，冷漠无情的奇灵渥斯，以及阳光女孩珠儿。第三部分主要对作品中描述的意象的象征意义具体分析。结语部分总结全文。关键词：霍桑；红字；象征主义 AbstractNathaniel Hawthorne is a famous American romantic novelist in nineteenth century. As in American Renaissance, Hawthorne advocates democracy and freedom, but at the same time, he is bounded and cannot completely get rid of the deep influence of Puritanism. Therefore, he is a critic of Puritanism, and is the successor of Puritanism. The Scarlet Letter is the masterpiece of Hawthornes long novel. The prominent artistic feature of The Scarlet Letter is its rich symbolism; therefore it is called the first symbolism novel. The symbolism meanings of all kinds of objects in the novel show the polysemy, motility, and even contradictory. This paper will explore the multiple symbolic meaning from the scarlet letter “A”, the names of the main characters and objects that described in the novel. Through the analysis of various symbolisms, we can reveal the composing intention of author, and better understanding of the novel's theme. This paper consists of the three parts including introduction, main body and conclusion.The introduction part mainly introduces Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter and the related researches. The main body includes three parts. The first part chiefly analyses the different symbolic meaning of the scarlet letter “A” that changes with the development of the story. The second part expounds the symbolic meaning of the four main characters names. Beautiful and candid Hester, unsocial and gloomy Dimmesdale, cold and detached Chilingworth and sunny girl Pearl. The third part mainly describes the symbolic meaning of the images that written in the novel, such as prison, scaffold, and rose-bush and forest. The final part is conclusion. Key words: Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, symbolismContentsChapter One Introduction1.1 Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet LetterNathaniel Hawthorne is a famous American novelist and short story writer. He is the most important American romantic representative in the late nineteenth century, and also one of the greatest novelists in the history of American literature. Hawthorn's works belong to romanticism or, more specifically, dark romanticism. Many of his works are inspired by Puritan New England, combining historical romance loaded with symbolism and deep psychological themes, bordering on surrealism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity. His published works include novels, short stories, and biography. His later writings also reflect his negative view of the Transcendentalism movement.The Scarlet Letter is the representative work of Nathaniel Hawthornes long novel, which focuses on the performance of the authors thought and artistic features. When this book was published, it achieved a success. Hawthorne used symbolism widely in The Scarlet Letter and made four major figures together skillfully with the only word “A”. The use of symbolism in the story is full of mystery that enriches the ideological content of the works, and also increases the novels artistic charm. It leaves imaginative space and infinite aftertaste to readers. The Scarlet Letters biggest success is the skillful use of symbolism and the excellent control ability. Hawthornes rich and unique symbolism opened a symbolic novel as an independent literary variety precedent. Hawthorne became one of founders of modern literature of symbolism, also makes the scarlet letter became the first Americans cross-border book, and won the world reputation in literary works.1.2 Literature ReviewNathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most influential American romantic novelists in the nineteenth century. Because of Hawthornes moral ambiguity, his rich visual imagination, his deep exploration of the dreams capes of individuals, communities, and the nation, and especially his “power of blackness” as Melville called it, his works keep intriguing great interests and huge passion of the critics of different times and different perspectives. The Scarlet Letter is considered as one of the greatest works in American literature. The reasons why it is so famous are that its ambiguous connotations, delicate representations, mystical imaginations, thrilling moral implications as well as its ambiguous attitude towards women. Critics study it from different angles and levels, but all the critics gave the highest evaluation to The Scarlet Letter. In recent years, there are many domestic and foreign academic attics which are writing the scarlet letter, for example, Bianjun has studied the psychological description in the scarlet letter; Yang Xiaomei has analyzed Hawthornes ambivalent attitude towards women in the scarlet letter; Jin Xiaowei has studied Hawthornes Christian thoughts, and so on. However, another attraction is Hawthornes skillful use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. Symbolism is one of the most important writing skills, which endows the concrete images with abstract meaning to enlighten the readers imagination and to express a deeper meaning. If we want to explore the deeper significance through the surface, it is not a simple thing. It must involve in many disciplines and theoretical problems, so this paper will study the symbolism of The Scarlet Letter. 1.3 Significance of the StudyThe Scarlet Letter is Nathaniel Hawthornes representative work. Hawthorne used skillful symbolism in The Scarlet Letter, which made The Scarlet Letter became the first symbolic novel in the world. Hawthorne expresses super space, and super material for "another world" through the symbolism that consciousness cannot achieve, and put the infinite meaning in the finite things. This paper mainly analyzes the significance symbolic meaning of the scarlet letter “A”, the main characters names and the objects described in the novel. Through the study of the symbolism of The Scarlet letter, it can not only make the symbolism significance of characters clearer to the readers, but also shed light on the symbolic significance of objects. At the same time, the history of the America at that time will be clearly shown to readers. And then, it broadens readers horizons. By the research of the symbolism of the Scarlet letter, it will provide a new view to readers about symbolism. It helps people to further understand Hawthornes opinion and his other works. It also helps people learn to use skillful symbolism in their own writings. Meanwhile, readers can find the themes of the novel in different aspects, and then understand the novel completely.Chapter Two The Symbolic Meaning of the Scarlet letter “A”Symbol, a kind of artistic creation, mainly depends on the specific things to express the abstract meaning, in order to induce the readers imagination and association, so as to achieve an ideological realm to afford much food for thought. It ranges from the most obvious and substitution of one thing for another, to massive, complex and perplexing creations. Characters, names, scenes and even events can be used symbolically.In the 19th century, with the fast developments of the economy, American has stepped into a new stage, while the traditional Puritanism still influenced thoughts of people. Furthermore, 19th century is also the time of culture renaissance; the Transcendentalism and the Mysticism are very popular at that time. Influenced by Puritanism, Transcendentalism and Mysticism, Hawthorne is motivated to make a much deeper exploration on human nature and cause his ambiguity and conflicts in inner heart. On one hand, he realizes that the strict Puritanism destroy the freedom and happiness of people, on the other hand, he cannot eradicate the tradition thoughts such as “ original sin” from his mind since he was born. Such struggle and conflicts make him feel ambiguous and confused about life and world. He cannot find a good way to change this world and reveal his ideal; as a result, he chooses symbolism to show his plight and dilemma. The reason why he chooses it is that symbolism can make his intention have more than one meaning, so that he can reveal his contradictory thoughts. “A” has rich symbolic meaning and mystery color, and it almost appears in every scene of this novel and links every character skillfully. It is sewn on Hester's coat, carved on her tombstone after her death, mystically tattooed on Dimmesdales chest, even miraculously appeared in the sky during the development process of the story. The scarlet letter “A” has the richest symbolic meaning in the novel. But the symbolic meaning of “A” is not immutable and frozen; it will change with the story developing and the anthers basis on the point. Now I will analyze the symbolic meaning from the romantic angle of modern people. 2.1 AdulteryThe scarlet letter “A” is a symbol of adultery when it first appears in the story. “A” is the first letter in the English alphabet. “First” is “origin”, firstly it means beginning. According to the Christian doctrine, “origin” means degenerate, and it is the original sin that no one could avoid, and it is also the original degeneration of humans ancestors. In this work, the scarlet letter “A” is a symbol of Puritan punishment, and it represents the shamed adultery. According to the request of puritan doctrine at that time, a woman who has adultery must adorn the scarlet letter that embroidered on her gown as a punishment, in order to show her crime to people. Let people that a little crime will pay a heavy price, in order to set a good example to execute one as a warning to others. Hester fall in love with minister Dimmesdale without knowing her husband live or not, that beyond the bottle line of morality. Finally it is known by others because the birth of Pearl. Then Hester is judged by ministers at Scaffold, even though the ministers alternate between coercion and temptation to force her to tell who Pearls father was, Hester never ever says that. Therefore, Hester is punished to adorn the scarlet letter “A” in her whole life, to show her crime to people, so at the beginning of this story, “A” means adultery. 2.2 Anguish“A” also stands for anguish, which can be found from the two main characters. Firstly, it is Hester. She loves life, has high prospect and great expectation for love. However, finally she marries an old pedant Chilingworth who is incapable of giving her any happiness, and he has ugly appearance and physical deformity. This is her first step into the deep suffering. After she immigrates to the new world, she meets her true loverDimmesdale. However, because of limitation of marriage and exigency of puritan doctrine, even though they fall in love with each other under those pressures, they bring endless pain to both of them. Hester had bear the scarlet letter “A” in her whole life, no matter how many meanings does the “A” have, the primary meaning is adultery, and finally she brings it into her grave. In order to protect her lover from affront, she is willing to endure all of sufferings in silence and it last for seven years. In spite of such sacrifice, this poor and persistent woman never wins the beautiful love that she has been looking forward to. Another anguish person is Dimmesdale, the pain he born does not come from the outside world, but himself. The scarlet letter “A” Hester adorned is a symbol of shame, but it is also a beautiful decoration. But for Dimmesdale, “A” is an invisible brand, and a painful suffering. Having no courage to admit his crime, Dimmesdale became Hesters inquisition faintheartedly. However, even though his crime is not been exposed, the pain buried deeply in his heart does not have spiritual comfort. He is contradicted and complicated, and he wanders between confessing his crime and his clergyman status. All of those pains depresses him breakdown. 2.3 AbleThe symbolic meanings of red letter “A” are more than “adultery and anguish”. Later, its meaning changes into “able, and admirable”. At the beginning, all people in downtown blamed Hester for committing adultery. However, the red letter “A” showed the ability that she is skillful in needlework, and the virtue that she tries her best to help poor and sick people. Her skill in needlework firstly can be seen from the decoration for the scarlet letter “A”, she stitched the “A” on her gown with gold thread that makes it beautiful and elegant. Hester makes it become a fine art, and it becomes one of her beautiful ornament as time passes. Her skill in needlework also can be seen from the colorful and pretty clothes of her daughterPearl. Even Hester herself always worn simple and plain gown, but she always tried her best to make exquisite clothes for Pearl. Hester was so skillful in needle that makes her famous in whole downtown. Even when many people still accuse her of her crime, they begin to ask Hester to make an excellent needlework for them, especially for the rich and the noble. Her outstanding needle works not only allow her to maintain a stable life, but also prove she was very able.2.4 AngelWith the time going, Hester always helps the poor and the sick without any repaying, and she even does not dare to hope others would accept her. However, after years of Hesters help, service and showing sympathy to the poor downtowns people, “A” is gradually regarded as a symbol of “admirable and angle”. “The letter is the symbol of her beautiful characters. Such helpfulness is found in her so much power to do and power to sympathies - which many people refuse to interpret the scarlet letter “A” by its original signification.” At this time, people realize Hester had a noble character, and she is an admirable woman. “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 afflicted!” people in town began to believe that Hester is the angle who gave her love and time to the people who needed it. Finally, Hester use her spiritual innocence and kindness to redeem for her crime, and became an able, admirable angle.