On Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter “A”
论《红字》中的象征主义
Abstract: THE SCARLET LETTER is regarded as the first American
symbolic novel for the vivid using of symbolism in this novel. Hawthorne's use of symbolism in this novel is one of the most significant contributions to the rise of American Literature. This paper attempts to expound the features of symbolism use in this novel through the analysis of three aspects: the multi-connotational feature, the systematic feature and the metaphorical feature.
Firstly, the multi-connotational feature is perfectly shown by the scarlet letter “A”, which symbolizes “adultery”, “alone”, “angle” and some other special characteristics. Meanwhile, Pearl and Dimmesdale are the other symbol of multi-connotations. Secondly, from matters, details, characters to backgrounds or even actions, they are all, without any exception, possessed of symbolic meanings, which is the other feature of the symbolism use in this novel i.e. the systematic feature. In addition, Hawthorne broke the rule of traditional symbolism and directly expressed his own subjective feelings, which made this novel metaphorical. In conclusion, the various features of symbolism using in THE SCARLET LETTER makes the novel a work of the world.
Key words: THE SCARLET LETTER, symbolism, multi-connotation,
systematization, metaphorization
1
摘 要:《红字》被认为美国第一部象征性小说，霍桑在这部作品中运用象征
主义手法为美国文学做出了显著的贡献，是一大进步。本文试图阐明象征主义的用途和特点。在这本章中通过对三个方面的分析:多层意义的特点、系统化和隐喻的特点。 首先, 多隐含义的特点由红字\完全显示, 象征\通奸\单独\角度\和其它特征。同时, 珠儿和梅斯丁代尔牧师是多内涵的另一标志。第二, 从事态、细节、人物、背景及行动方面, 他们是贯穿始终的。拥有象征性意思,和象征主义用途另一特点在这本小说里，即系统的特点。另外,霍桑打破了传统象征主义的特点，直接地表现出他自己的主观感觉, 使这本小说带有隐喻的特点。
总而言之, 作者在作品中采用的象征手法贯穿始终、无处不在。《红字》使美国作家霍桑誉满全球。
关键词：《红字》；象征主义；多隐含义；系统；隐喻
2
Contents
Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------------------i 摘要------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii Contents---------------------------------------------------------------------------iii Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------1 1. The Multi-connotation of Symbolism-----------------------------------------1 1.1 Multi-connotations of the Scarlet Letter “A”--------------------------2 1.2 Multi-connotations of Pearl----------------------------------------------7 1.3 Multi-connotations of Arthur Dimmesdale----------------------------11 2. The Systematization of Symbolism-------------------------------------------12 2.1 Custom House-----------------------------------------------------------------12 2.2 Prison---------------------------------------------------------------------------13 2.3 Ann Hutchinson & Rosebush -----------------------------------------------14 2.4 Forest--------------------------------------------------------------------------15 2.5 The Small Brook-----------------------------------------------------------18 2.6 Other Characters------------------------------------------------------------18 3. The Metaphorization of Symbolism-------------------------------------20 Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------21 Bibliography---------------------------------------------------------------------22 Acknowledgements---------------------------------------------------------------23
3
Introduction
Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of the greatest romanticism novelists in 19th Century America. Meanwhile, as the founder of American novel, Hawthorne, together with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Washington Irving, were regarded as the three immortal great minds in 19th Century. However, only Hawthorne survived in the storms of transvaluations in 20th Century. To a great extent, the survival of Hawthorne is due to his THE SCARLET LETTER. THE SCARLET LETTER is regarded as the most outstanding masterpiece of Hawthorne and the most prestigious authoritative work among all the American romanticism novels. There are various artistic features in THE SCARLET LETTER. This novel described the fantastic romantic atmospheres as well as the specific mental activities, while the most important feature is the symbolism used in this novel. Therefore, THE SCARLET LETTER is regarded as the first American symbolic novel. This kind of artistic form imposed great influence upon the development of American novel. This paper attempts to expound the features of symbolism use in THE SCARLET LETTER.
1. The Multi-connotation of Symbolism
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. No matter what characters or places, actions or objects they are, they are all endowed with the meanings which may be
4
beyond their own so as to obtain concrete or material forms of those thoughts or emotions of characters and those abstract concepts. “Hawthorne wanted to ?spiritualize' the issue and have his tales say that matter doesn't matter, spirit is all, the body is mere clay, and passion is poison. He said that all things have spirits, just like the relation between soul and body. This point of view decided that Hawthorne lay emphasis on using symbols to disclose the obscure meanings behind objective matters rather than relied on the actual descriptions of objective matters when creating his works.” There are many symbols used in THE SCARLET LETTER, some of which are obvious while some others are obscure. Hawthorne endowed almost every character, circumstance, action in THE SCARLET LETTER with certain symbolic meanings. Thus the first feature is obvious, that is the multi-connotation of symbolism. There are three symbols throughout the novel. The scarlet letter “A” is a typical symbol, and Pearl and Dimmesdale are the other multi-工业connotationals.
1.1 Multi-connotations of the Scarlet Letter “A”
In this novel, the meanings of the scarlet letter “A” shifts as time passes. It shows growth in the characters, and the community in which they live.
The scarlet letter “A” in this novel begins as a symbol of punishment. Hawthorne wrote in his American notebooks in 1845 “life of a woman, who, by the old colony law, was condemned always to wear the letter A, sewed on her garment, in token of her having committed adultery.”(Gerber, 1968: 17)
5
On Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter “A”-论《红字》中的象征主义
