红字的名字象征

An Analysis of t he Characters’ Names in Scarlet Letter

Zhuo hao

Li Shan College

Shandong Normal University

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract (3)

Key Words (3)

摘要 (3)

关键词...................................................................................................... 错误！未定义书签。

1.Introduction (4)

2.Analysis of the Characters' Names in the novel (4)

2.1.Hester Prynne —A strong mother deserted in the new world (4)

2.2.Arthur Dimmesdale—An autistic and weak sinner. (6)

2.3.Roger Chillingworth—A lonely avenger. (7)

2.4.Pearl —Angel in the sinning world. (8)

3.Conclusion (9)

References (11)

Abstract

Scarlet Letter highlights the superb artistry of Nathaniel Hawthorne to use symbolism to illustrate the theme of his works. The names of four main characters each contain profound meaning, underlining the multiple implications and themes of the novel and giving specific image to the theme from different perspectives. The name Hester Prynne conveys the meaning of ―be hasty in love‖ and ―the ability to get rid of the sin she had committed‖. Arthur Dimmesdale means ―a man committed the crime of adultery but was such a coward that he could not assume the responsibility‖Roger Chillingworth also has profound implications. First it reveals the role of this character—avenger. And we can infer the mixed feelings of the author towards him. Pearl means the ―most precious thing‖, indicating the moral power of this young girl that exerted on her parents and the society.

Key Words

Theme Symbolism Characters Crime

摘要

《红字》突出了纳撒尼尔霍桑运用象征手法来说明他的作品的主题的高超技艺。四个主要角色的名字都包含的深刻含义，强调了多重暗示和小说的主题，并从不同角度给予主题以具体的形象。海丝特白兰的名字传达了“人在爱情上的草率”的含义与“有能力为她所犯下的”罪恶进行赎罪和得到解脱。”阿瑟丁梅斯代尔的意思是“犯了通奸罪的人”，但就是这样一个懦夫，他不承担自己的责任。罗杰齐灵渥斯也有深远的意义。首先，它揭示了这个人物扮演了复仇者的角色。我们可以推断出作者的对他的复杂感情。珠儿是指“最宝贵的东西”，她的名字表明这个精灵般的小女给她的父母和社会施加道德力量。

关键词

主题，象征，角色，罪恶

An Analysis of t he Characters’ Names in Scarlet Letter

1.Introduction

Scarlet Letter is the representative work of American romantic writer Nathaniel Hawthorne of the nineteenth century. With nuanced psychological analysis and profound symbolism，this novel explored the root of human evils and revealed the old and eternal theme of human nature.（韩维，美国文学史纲，1980）Based on the analysis of the names of four characters, the essay is intended to reveal the special function of the names of the characters in underlining the characters‘ personality and revealing the themes of the novel, and to make a further research of the application of symbolism in the romantic works.

2.Analysis of the Characters' Names in the novel

2.1.Hester Prynne —A strong mother deserted in the new world

Hester Prynne is considered as the heroine of the novel. Hester Prynne was a beautiful and strong woman abandoned to the new continent by her false and cowardly husband, and she is also a woman committing the crime of adultery. As a wife betraying her husband and having an affair with a young priest, she had committed an unforgivable felony in the eyes of puritans. （罗伯特·斯勒比，美国文学的循环，1981）But Hester Prynne was depicted as a brave woman who was determined to pursue freedom and liberation and true love .She carried a heavy scarlet letter and kept moving forward on the road of disengagement and self-improvement, seeking a whole new life in the desert of the new continent. Hester Prynne was a pioneer pursuing freedom, liberation and true love. Although at the very beginning of the novel, she started to suffer humiliation of burden, Hester Prynne, with her clothing and pose, showed her calmness and compose. It seemed that she was not like a sinner, but a wild rose at the door of the prison. From her name, we can see some of her character and presume the symbolic significance