Abstract

 This paper indicates that humanism and puritanism have a great effect on people’s moral values by analyzing the behavior and psychological activities of four main characters Hester , Dimmesdale, Chillingworth and Pearl in The Scarlet Letter. At the same time, by exploring the symbolic meaning and scenery description of The Scarlet Letter, it further points out that Hawthorne 's morality is obscure and contradictory.

Key words: The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne, morality, humanism, puritanism 

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction-1

  1.1 The brief introduction of Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter-1

  1.2 Significance of the study-1

2. Morality in Humanism-2

  2.1 Hester----desire for love-2

  2.2 Dimmesdale---- pursuit of natural humanity-3

  2.3 Chillingworth----fatherly love for Pearl-4

  2.4Pearl----innocence and beauty in humanity-5

3. Morality in Puritanism-6

  3.1 Hester----endurance of humiliation and loneliness-6

  3.2 Dimmesdale---- torture from body and mind-7

  3.3 Chillingworth----perseverance in revenge-9

4. Morality of Hawthorne-10

  4.1 The symbolic meaning of The Scarlet Letter-10

  4.2 The symbolic meaning of scenery description-12

5. Conclusion-13

Works Cited-15