Abstract

The American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is his most widely circulated work, and also the most appreciated work. In the book, Hawthorne applied symbolism incisively and vividly from the extended meanings of the letter A and the implication of characters’ names to the objects and settings in it, alluding to the tragic destiny of character. This dissertation will introduce Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter,and author’s background, and then analysis symbolism in the book from three aspects—the symbolic meaning of the scarlet letter A, main character’s names and scenes. In conclusion, this paper will draw that the success of The Scarlet Letter gives the credit to Hawthorne’s excellent writing ability and ingenious application of symbolism. 

Key words : symbolism; The Scarlet Letter; Hawthorne

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction.1 

1.1 Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter.1

1.2 Introduction to symbolism.2 

2.Literature Review.3

3.Symbolic Meanings of The Letter A4

3.1 Adultery.4

3.2 Alienation and agony.4

3.3 Able and admirable and angel.6

4.Symbolic Meanings of the Main Characters’ Names.6

4.1 Hester Prynne6 

4.2 Arthur Dimmesdale8

4.3 Roger Chillingworth9

4.4 Pearl.9

5.Symbolic Meanings of Scenes.10

6.Conclusion11

Reference12