英语论文网

　　2 Pearl

　　Pear is another evidence which shows Hawthorne’s doubt against Puritanical ethic morality. She was viewed almost as a ghost in the Puritans’ eyes. However, in little Pearl’s mind, the scarlet letter is the first thing she got used to. It was the token that her loving –tender-care mother ware

　　quite opposite to the puritan’s outlook. She didn’t consider the scarlet letter on her mother’s breast as a sign of shame, but an undispatchable part of her mother. Her idea about “A” was a rebellion against the Puritan society. Pearl didn’t go with the society which she lives in. Like a brave warrior in the battle, she fights forcefully against the puritan. Fortunately, nature offers her warmth to Pearl, from the beginning to the end, the sunshine is always with her.

　　At the end of the novel, Pearl left England to Europe, leading a happy life, which announced an affirmation from the author that Pearl would be unable to obtain happiness in the strict and severe Puritanism society.

　　Ⅷ Reason for the dichotomies

　　To some extent, Hawthorne was a Puritan because of his Puritan origin. It was Puritanism that has led to today’s American achievement oriented society. But Hawthorne described the Puritan society of the 17th century as narrow and relentless. What has made Hawthorne have ambivalent feelings about Puritanism?

　　On one hand, the rich Puritanism thought from his family has deep-rooted effect on Hawthorne. He can feel an instinctual connection to it and, more importantly, a “sense of place” in Salem. Their blood remains in his veins. He knows a lot about Puritanism.

　　On the other hand, Puritanism itself owns the complicated state that positivism and negativism are coexistent. Hawthorne is doubtful to some doctrines and dogmas. In his days, American capitalism was developing rapidly, and the social structure was changeable. He couldn’t understand this change, and tried to explain it. At this moment, he happens to know Transcendentalism, which rejects the Puritan religious attitudes and it opposes the strict ritualism and dogmatic theology of all religions. What attracted Hawthorne in Transcendentalism was its free inquiry, its radicalism, its contact with actual life.

　　As a result, Hawthorne’s attitude towards Puritanism was split. There were things he was absolutely in favor of and things he condemned from the depth of his heart.

　　Ⅸ Conclusion

　　In conclusion, through The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorn highly praises the beauty of human nature and comprehends the Puritan thought and values which deeply influence the Americans. However, he also condemns the negative impact of Puritan society on people’s spirit. And at the same time helps people to realize the dark side of Puritan: harshness and persecutions.

　　Ⅹ Bibliography

　　[ 1 ] Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter [M ]. Beijing Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1994.

　　[ 2 ]陈冠商. 霍桑短篇小说集[M ]. 济南:山东人民出版社,1980.

　　[ 3 ]常耀信. 美国文学简史[M ]. 天津: 南开大学出版社,1990.

　　[ 4 ]王海珍. 霍桑的罗曼司小说模糊风