An Analyze of the Symbolism in theScarlet LetterContents1. Introduction (i)2. The Symbolic Meaning of the Images (i)2.1 The Symbolic Meaning of the Characters (i)2.1.1 Hester Prynne (i)2. 1.2 Roger Chillingworth (i)2.1.3Author Dimmesdale (i)2.1.4 Pearl (i)2.2 The symbolic meaning of the Jail (i)2.3 The Symbolic Meaning of the Scaffold (ii)3. Conclusion (ii)An Analyze of the Symbolism in the Scarlet LetterAbstract:The Scarlet Letter is the 1st novel of symbolism in American literature. Being different from the romanticism, symboli sm is adopted to convey the author’s opinions in an indirect way. In this novel, Nathaniel Hawthorne artfully applied symbolism to express himself by creating several images with vivid and symbolic characteristics. This thesis mainly analyzes the symbolism applied in novel from three aspects: characters, jail and scaffold.Key Words: symbolism Puritanism adultery revenge摘要：《红字》是美国第一部象征主义小说。

与浪漫主义写作手法不同，象征主义作品间接表达作者的思想。

在这部小说中，作者霍桑通过创造了几个形象鲜明的、象征角色，巧妙地采用象征主义表达自己的观点。

该论文主要从小说三方面分析象征主义：人物、监狱和断头台。

关键字：象征主义清教主义通奸复仇1. Introduction:The Scarlet Letter is Hawthorne’s famous fiction in which he revealed the dark side of Puritanism, as well as the harshness and persecution. It seems like a love story but actually it mainly reflected the society environment. Particularly, the author employed the symbolism to convey his ideas and thoughts. In which Hester is a vivid character created by Hawthorne.2. The Symbolic Meaning of the Images2.1 The Symbolic Meaning of the Characters2.1.1 Hester PrynneAs the main character in this novel, it is no doubt that Hester Prynne had been drawing more attention from the beginning. Readers may conclude what she suffered is a tragedy. But on the other hand, what she symbolized in the story is strong will, affection and loyalty. Anyhow, she deserves the attention.As the story happened in the 19th century in Boston, it was a period of Puritanism controlled. Anyone who inhabited on the island had to observe the stern puritan rules to survive from these cruel governors. However, Hester was the only one ventured to challenge the rigid religion regulations at the expense of burning enormous humiliation and shame in front of the public. Although she had committed the sin of adultery, she preferred to wear the scarlet letter “A” on her breast instead of naming the man with whom she committed adultery. “She was ladylike, too, after the manner of the femi nine gentility of these days” She was such a graceful woman in the writer’s book. Never had Heater intended to yield to the evil might. Her resistance had made her great. What the “A” embodied in her breast was not disgrace any more. Contrariwise, it just liked a scarlet rose--attractive and glittering. Undoubtedly, Hester was an unyielding woman with strong will.In this novel, Pearl, the daughter of Hester and Arthur, in fact, was one of the powerful currents to make Hester become a great woman. From the story we can perceive that Heater had an affectionate love towards Pearl. She spared no efforts to protect her daughter, not only her personal safety, but also her delicate dignity. She embroidered to support their lives. She dresses Pearl in bright highly—ornamented costume. She even begged the pastor not to take Pearl away from her. We can not deny that Heater was a tenderhearted mother through her profound affection for Pearl.Heater’s loyalty could be testified by her love for Arthur. She refused to nam e the man when confronting the roaming throng because she loved the man and cherished his life more than her own. She was willing to stand all the humiliation herself even though which was unfair for her.In all, Hester was described as a symbol of resister against Puritanism. “A” on her breast looked more dazzling and beautiful rather than shameful any more. The “A” ha d proved to be an angel. Nathaniel Hawthorne attempted to express his appeal to struggle for freedom and truth which was symbolized by Hester in that society.2.1.2 Roger ChillingworthHester’s previous husband, Roger Chillingworth was a fairly poor man in this novel. It’s the hatred that motivate d all his deeds, which also destroyed himself eventually. In this novel, he was a symbol of evil and monster.Used to enjoy great repute as a scholar, Roger Chillingworth could have led a decent life with his beautiful young wife---Hester. However, everything changed after the accident of the wreck of the ship. He suffered great shame because his wife had betrayed him. At the moment when he appeared from the forest to stand in front of the meeting house where Hester stood, he had made the decision to find out the man whom Hester committed adultery with and take revenge on the man, since then the plan for revenge began to spring up in his mind. His heart, his soul, as well as his blood were full of hatred. Especially when he discovered Arthur Dimmesdale was the sinful man, he took revenge on him crazily. He presented to be a physician to treat the sick Arthur, thus made Arthur suffered a lot both mentally and physically every day. But he did not satisfy with this, nor did he decide toforego his plan since the man had used to wrong him so much. Roger did not cease until Auther’s confession of his sin, whi ch Roger had never predicted before. With losing the only goal of his life, Roger died within years. What a poor man.An eye for an eye. A man with evil intention died miserably finally, he did not escape from the trap made by himself. Therefore he left people the impression that he was a pitiful man. In fact, what he did was turned to be in vain and his life was meaningless. Nathaniel Hawthorne tried to express his despise for these hypocritical people in this way, which was very impressive to the readers.2.1.3 Author DimmesdaleAuthor was also a vivid and symbolic image in this novel who represented cowardice.Author, used to committed sin with Hester, was indeed a coward. Witnessing Hester suffering humiliation before the crowd, he still pretended to be calm in order to maintain his respectable image among people in spite of the concerning Hester would speak his name out. He should have assumed the responsibility for the crime he had made, but he just preferred to escape. It doomed that he would bear the deep condemn from his inner conscience.Author was a character full of contradiction in this novel. On one hand, he stood for the stern power of Puritanism by complying with all the regulations. On the other hand, he disobeyed the rules with adultery. The author tried to criticize the contradiction of the Puritanism by creating such an image with two identifies.2.1.4 PearlJust as the name suggested, Pearl liked a pure and innocent angel in the story which was also associated with the scarlet letter “A”. Of course she was innocent because she did not involve in this sinful crime. Her voice and appearance were the symbol of angel. “She was to redeem the world”. She was described to stand for purity by the Nathaniel Hawthorne.2.2Symbolic Meaning of the Jail“The personage prefigured and represented in his aspect the whore dismal severity ofthe puritanical in code of law, which it was his business to administer in its final and closest application to the offender.” That is the description about the jail a nd jailers. Apparently, jail was a symbol of the strict puritanical regulations, it was protected by its loyal followers, who was symbolized by the jailers. The only difference lies in one was visible while the other was invisible. Hester was a victim of the jail in this novel.2.3The Symbolic Meaning of the ScaffoldThe word scaffold appeared several times in the Scarlet Letter was also given a particular meaning in this novel. We know its literal meaning is a stage to end one’s life, which symbolizes despair and hopelessness. However, Hester was put to the scaffold innumerable times, there she burn the great shame and humiliation herself. In addition, the scaffold also stands for the place where people were thrown into by the cruel religion rules and its loyal followers.3. ConclusionScarlet Letter was Nathaniel Hawthorne’s first work to employ symbolism. It was a great success because of the skillful use of symbolism. He applied symbolism to transmit his personal views towards the society as well as his hope for it. In particular, the symbolism used to create the characters, for each character was embodied a special meaning, which was very impressive and thought-provoking.Beside these images analyzed above, some other objectives also symbolized meanings in this novel, such as the forest and the pastor. In all, Nathaniel Hawthorne used symbolism successfully to clarify his thoughtBibliographyWu Weiren.1990. History and Anthology of American Literature:. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.Yu Xuegong. 2001.Scarlet Letter. Shanghai: Xingsi Book Press.ChangY aoxin(常耀信).2006.《英国文学简史》.南开大学出版社。