論《紅字》的清教觀

1、論?紅字?的清教觀AbstratTheSarletLetter,NathanielHathrnesrepresentativerk,isalassialnvelinAerianliteratureinthe19thentury.ThenveldisplaysPuritanissgreatipatnpepleslifeandthught.ThisthesisillgiveapiturefpuritanslifeandidelgythrughtheanalysisfthePuritantnBstnandserelatedharaters,andintrduehtheunitiesinthetnar

2、edeeplyinfluenedbyPuritanis.eanhile,byanalyzingtheainharaterHester,thethesisillpresenttheharshnessandthestritpunishentinPuritansiety.InPuritanunities,heveritsasinillbepunished.ThethesisalspresentsHathrnesattitudetardsPuritanis.nnehand,heappreiatesthePuritanthughtandvalue;nthetherhand,hendensthenegat

3、iveipatfPuritansietynpeplesspirit.Keyrds:Puritanis,NathanielHathrne,TheSarletLetter,Bstn，Hester內(nèi)容提要霍桑的代表作紅字是19世紀(jì)美國文學(xué)史上的一本古典小說。紅字表現(xiàn)了清教主義傳統(tǒng)在人們思想上和生活上的烙印，使人們對(duì)18世紀(jì)的美國社會(huì)有了一定的理解。在當(dāng)時(shí)，一切都受到宗教的束縛，宗教有著神圣不可進(jìn)犯的權(quán)威。本論文通過對(duì)一些主要人物和波士頓小鎮(zhèn)的分析向人們展示了清教徒的思想和他們的生活方式。交代了小鎮(zhèn)上人們深受清教主義的影響。通過對(duì)主人公海絲特等人的分析提醒了清教社會(huì)的嚴(yán)酷以及嚴(yán)厲的刑罰制度。任何人無論

4、誰犯了錯(cuò)都要受到懲罰。霍桑在一定程度上也受到清教主義的影響。一方面他肯定了宗教思想與價(jià)值，另一方面批判了清教社會(huì)對(duì)人的精神的負(fù)面影響。關(guān)鍵詞：清教主義；納撒尼爾霍桑；紅字；波士頓；海斯特hapter1.IntrdutinA.PuritansNathanielHathrnesTheSarletLetterasrittenin18thentury.ThesettingfTheSarletLetterisinthe17thenturyinBstn,Aeria.BefrepreedingttheanalysisfthePuritanisinthenvel,sefundaentaldefinitinsn

5、eedtbeestablished.herethePuritans?hendidtheyarriveintheNerldAeria?HabutthEiridelgyandlifestyle?Habuttheauthr?Puritanisthenaegiveninthe16thenturytthereextreePrtestantsithinthehurhfEngland.ThesePrtestantsthughttheEnglishRefratinhadntgnefarenughinrefringthedtrinesandstruturefthehurh.Theyantedtpurifythe

6、irhurh.Inthe17thenturyanyPuritansiigratedttheNerld,heretheysughttfundahlynealthinNeEngland.“ThePuritansdidntallreligiusdissent(hldingdifferentreligiusbelief).Theyinsistedthathighpsitin,andahieveentseresignsfeternalgrae,thatis,favurfGd,andtheyantedtfreGdsillntherestfankind.Puritantraditinalsinvlvedar

7、espetfrlearninghihledttheestalishentfshlsandthespreadfliteray.1(P238)Puritanisreainesthedinantulturalfreinthatareaintthe19thentury.B.NeEnglandArdingthistrialdata,in1620,theEnglishnarhy,aseagertberidfthePuritansasthePuritanseretberidftheKing,grantedagrupfPuritansahartertakeasettleentintheEnglishlnies

8、thatisntheNeEnglandfAeria.ThereereeniinentivesfrthePuritantvettheNerld,inludingeniupheavalinEurpeandtheprspetfakingaprfitinAeria,buttheirhiefinentiveasreligius:theyuldbeabletpratietheirreliginfreely.Sinlatefallse103settlerssailedntheayflerandarrivedinNeEngland.Thenin1628,prvkedbyKingharlesIsinreasin

9、gintlerane,anthergrupfPuritansfredabusinessrpratin,theassahusettsBaypany,frsettleentftheNerld.TheyarrivednapeAnn,justnrthandeastfhatisnalledBstn.Thirteenyearslater,abut1,000Englishsettlers,largelythePuritans,hadiigratedttheBstnarea.By1643,thereerese20,000inthegeneralareaftheassahusettsBaylny,akingBs

10、tnthelargestandthestprsperusPuritantninAeria.nsideringthelargenuberfallthesePuritansettlers,theiridedistributinandtheirstrngfaith,religiusanddailylifeintheneAerianlnies,espeiallyinBstn,asainlyfPuritanlr.Inadditin,religiusdtrinebeaeivilla,andtheruleftheleadersasabslute.hilethehlefNeEnglandaslargelyPu

11、ritan,itisthsehsettledinandarundBstn,hinfluenedAerianultureprfundlyandfhNathanialHathrnerte.Puritansidelgyandlifestylenthetherhand,PuritanidelgyisveryiprtantfrPuritansfrtheydesignedtheirlivesafterthat.Thepuritansbelievedintheajesty,righteusnessandsvereigntyfGd.Theyregardhiasnisientandniptent.Inntras

12、t,allhuanbeingseredepravedsinners.TheybelievedthatGdhadpredestinedsefthesefallenreaturesfrthegiftfsalvatin.Thisstatusftheeletedrnn-eletedsignifiedGdshsingfthseththegraefsalvatinastbeffered.ThePuritanstkthesripture,andthesernsasGdsnrds,hihtheyinterpreted,fllingtherksftheFrenhPeterRaus,inthestaurateay

13、,andexpetedallPuritanstlivestritlyfllingtheseparaeters.Itdidnteanthatsinnersuldsavetheselves,buttheeletuldiprvetheirsuls.TftheainpintsfPuritanthelgyarethevenantsfgraeandrk.ThevenantfgraerequiredafaithinGd,andthatGdhiselfgavetheelettgrasp.Thevenantfrk,nthentrary,dependednlynhuanatin.AlthughthePuritan

14、sbelievedinpredeterinatintheydidntaittheirGd-givenfate.Theyspenttheirhlelifetryingtfinduttheirdestiny,hetheritightbeheavenrhell.rk,evenifitdidntguaranteesalvatin,astheiraytexpresstheirfaithandtshtheirhpefrheaven.Everynehdidntrkasdeprivedfthehighralityandagdlife.Hever,Puritanspaiduhattentinttheiredua

15、tin.TheythughtthatnlythsehereabletreadtheBibleuldfindreligiustruth.TheBibleasreadandinterpretedveryauratelyandstritly.Andthistruth,thatastbefundbyaurateinterpretatin,assynnyusithagdlife.AlthughthePuritanshavebeenverystritinreligiusay,nthetherhandtheyuldbequitetlerant.Thegradeftleraneasdependenttthee

16、xtentftheapprpriatething.Frexapletheyndenedthedrunkard,butntthensuptinfalhlitself.Andtheydidnttabsexuality,aslngasitassexualitybeteenhusbandandifeandntextraaritalsexuality.ButthestritPuritandeasfarfrtlerant.Relatinshipbeteenenandenasverynstrainedandthatarehatadeadulterysuhabadsinintheeyesfeverynehin

17、theunitybelievedthattheirfateasntrlledbyGd.Publidisiplineandpunishentereusedtdisurageeveryneelsefrittingthesaeriersinastheffendingriinaldid.TheunityastfllthebelieffGdandtdtheirdutiesthebesttheyuld,yeteretheretritiizeandpunishallhdisbeyedthereliginrlas.hurhasthernerstnefthe17thenturylifeinNeEngland.E

18、verythingasverystritandeveryneasexpetedtfllthelas.Itasagainstthelanttattendhurhhereenandensatnppsitesidesthrughlngservies.ThePuritanlifestyleasrestrainedandrigid:Pepleereexpetedtrkhardandrepresstheiretinsrpinins.Individualdiffereneserefrnedupn.Eventhedark,sberPuritandressasditatedbythehurh.D.Hathrns

19、failybakgrundAsnefthestinfluentialRantinvelistsinAeriainthe19thentury,“NathanielHathrnesrksstlydesribethepeplesentalattitude,thughtntraditinandlifetragedyunderalvinistipressurebytheruellerialisdinatininthelnialperid.HathrneasbrnnJuly4,1804inSale,assahusetts.Sale,hishetn,haseverbeentheplaeherePuritan

20、isfresarerapantandseveralgeneratinsfhisanestrsarefanatiPuritans;therefre,therihPuritanisthughtfrhisfailyhasdeep-rtedeffetnHathrne.BeausePuritanisitselfnsthepliatedstatethatpsitivisandnegativisareexistent,HathrnehasdubtfulrreligiusattitudetPuritanis.Hathrneisinlinedtnservatininplitialthught,andhldspe

21、ssiisfrfuture.nnehand,heassailsPuritanriinalbehavirssuhasreligiusfanatiisandiperissibilitytheresy;nthetherhand,hetakesthereligiusbasireedastheriterintgnitinandjudgent.2(P65)Thentraditiveentalityistypiallyanddeeplyrepresentedinhisasterpiee“TheSarletLetter.HisfailyasfPuritanbelieffrgeneratinsandhadbee

22、nprinentintheareasinelnialties.HathrnekneBibleveryellandentthurhfrequently.henheasfur,hisfatherdiednavyage,butaternalrelativesregnizedhisliterarytalentandfinanedhiseduatin.AsabyheentttheEastSalehurh,hihasdesribedas“nthevergefUnitaris.DuringhisstudyintheBdinllege,anghislassatesereanyftheiprtantlitera

23、ryandplitialfiguresftheday:riterHratiBridge,futureSenatrJnathaniley,HenryadsrthLngfell,andfuturePresidentFranklinPiere.TheseprinentfriendssuppliedHathrneithgvernenteplyentintheleanties,allinghitietblasanauthr.Later,henheservedasansulinEngland,heattendedserviesataUnitarianhurhinLiverpl.But,ituldntber

24、etypialfraPuritanthatheuldntgetalngiththereligiusritualsanderenies,like,frexaple,funerals.HesiplyhadthesePuritanaversinsthatalreadyausedthePuritanstsplitfrtheAnglianhurh.Hesiplelyantedthaveasallregularinethatuldallhitfrgeteverything,hihasntiprtantthi.Therihlreffailyandlalhistryprvideduhftheaterialfr

25、Hathrnesrks.TheajrityfhisrkstakesAeriasPuritanpastasitssubjet,butTheSarletLetterusestheaterialtthegreatesteffet.HathrneperhapshsethisdarksubjettnveyhisnteptfrPuritanis.Heindiatesthathisainpurpseistpitureaayf“l(fā)ifeintheSaleustHuse,thesatirial“theustHusebeaetheritiallyalaiedprlguetTheSarletLetter,ntbef

26、redesribed.hilentregnizedbyHathrnehiselfashisstiprtantrk,thenvelisregardedntnlyashisgreatestaplishent,butalsfrequentlyasthegreatestnvelinAerialiteraryhistry.Afteritaspublishedin1850,ritishaileditasinitiatingadistintiveAerianliterarytraditin.hapter2.PuritanisinthenvelA.ThesuaryfthestryThenvel,TheSarl

27、etLetter,isabutthestrugglethreepeplefaehiletryingtlivetheirlivesandfindhappinessinaPuritansiety.Ittldthestrylikethis.Intheearly1640s,HesterhasetthesalltnfBstn,assahusetts,frGreatBritain,hileherhusband,hillingrthhaslefttdealithsething.Butafterthen,thereisnnesabuthiandnbdyknhetherheisaliverntfrtyears.

28、ThenHesterandReverendArthurDiesdale,thetnspriest,engagesintheatfadulteryandprdueababygirlnaedPearl.AlthughnlyHesterknthatDiesdaleisthefather,shehasprisedDiesdalenttrevealhisidentity.Hesterisputndisplayinfrntftheentiretninrdertpunishher,andtalsserveasanillustratintthetnspeplefrsinning.Sheisthenputinj

29、ailiththebabyfrafenthsandfredtearasarletletterAhihstandsfrAdulteryfrever.Hestershusband,Rgerhillingrth,hhadbeenapturedbyNativeAerianIndiansnhisaytNeEnglandandheldinaptivityfrtyears,esapesandentersthetnfBstn.AfterlearningfhatHesterhaddne,hillingrthpsesasadtrandvstdisvertheidentityfHesterspartnerinsin

30、.Hesteragreestkeephistrueidentityaseret,t.Frainideafthisstry,itseasyfrustseethefatthatitexpsedglyanddespiablerepulsinfhuannatureandatthesaetieextlledglriussulbyprtrayingthedarkrealityunderPuritanisinthe17thentury.3(P92)Thrughthisnvel,theharatersandsituatinshavehelpedtdesribethePuritantnBstnandPurita

31、nis.B.Hester,nefthevitisfPuritanisFirstly,HesterPrynne,neftheainharaters,hinrdertpursuithernreallveisnvitedfadulteryandisndenedtearTheSarletLetter“Anherhestasaperanentsignfhersin.Indernsiety,Hesterhasdnenthingrng.Sheisbraveandfgraefulnature.SheisnthidehernfeelingandtlveDiesdalebravelyanditasin.Butin

32、thePuritansiety,Hestershuldhavekeptadherenetherhusband,evenshehadntabitlvefrhi.Andfurtherre,sheshuldkillhernaturallveithinher,insteadflettingitreleasedandittingsuhasinatBstn.AfterHesteritsthesin,thePuritansietyiediatelyenfreditslaagainsther.“HesterbetrayedherhusbandandentagainstthepriniplefhnestynPu

33、ritan,ssheustaepttheseverepenaltyinthePuritansietyatthattie.4(47)Besidesteartheredletter,sheustsufferpublishaenthesaffld.Thebeliefsfthegeneralpubliatthattieaneasilybesuedupinthefirstsaffldsene,hihalsgivesaprspetivefhatHesterPrynneustdealith.“nthesuerrninghenurstrybeginsitsurse,thattheen,fhthereerese

34、veralintherd,appearedttakeapeuliarinterestinhateverpenalinflitinightbeexpetedtensue.5(P42)Frthepubli,Hesterspunishentisreasnable.Theydntpayanypitynher,buttakeherpunishentasneayfausingtheselves.ItisatypialphenennfPuritanisthught.Andtheintrdutinftherds“Bstn,“rnhill,“Kingsintrdutinalsbringsttheindapitu

35、refhistriBstnandearlyAerianPuritanis.Bstn,astaunhPuritanialtn,isaralistiandglyplaeheretheitizensdressindrablrsandlakanyliveliness.EvenntheEletinDayhliday,theyanntrelaxandenjytheselves.HerethestneheartedPuritansareabuttdenuneHester.Sheisfredtstandnahighplatfr,alledsaffld,infullviefeveryne,asapublipen

36、anefrittingadultery.neftheensaid,“Attheveryleast,theyshuldhaveputthebrandfahtirnnHesterPrynnesfrehead.6(P43)Hstneheartedtheyare.LatertheffiialsentenedHestertstandfrthreehursntheplatfrfthepillryandfrtherestfherlife,tearTheSarletLetter“Anherbs.ThePuritanunitieserefredinatheratistateherethehurhandState

37、shareauthrity,andhavingequalrespnsibilityfrkeepinglaandrderinthelny.ThisisbasednthesialrderpituredintheldTestaent,andshlarlylergyensuhasJhnilsnandArthurDiesdale,theEnglishuniversitygraduates,explainit.EphasisisplaedntheBiblialvenant,hihprisedbedieneteletleaders.Theyere“agistratesinthePuritanlny.Suhs

38、ialrderhelpstexplainthatthedifferentprfessinsrepresentedbythedifferentharaters.Frexaple,theGvernr,ailitaryan,andtheinistersasseblednthebalnyverlkingthesaffld.TheSripturesdeanddeathfradultery,andthePuritanlaslselyflltheBiblialpattern.Thus,Hestersriefadulteryispunishedtdeath.Sineherhusband(Dr.Prynne)i

39、sreprtedtbedead,theagistratesextendtherhattheynsidertbegreatery.Thissenealsshstheeightfvaluesandralsupnsietyinthe17thenturyherepublipunishentasntnlyusedasapunishentbutasaaytdisuragethersfrittingthesaerie.TheunityasthekeyhelperinakingthispunishentbeauseitdidnthelpedtalienateHesterbuttfurtherherpain.T

40、hepunishentbrughtfrthfHestersunderlyingpain,HestersentfrtharythensheturnedhereyesdnardatTheSarletLetter,andeventuheditithherfingertassureherselfthattheinfantandtheshaeerereal.Thispainnlybrkesurfaene,yetthrughutthehlestryHesterustdealiththeshaeandetinalpainfTheSarletLetter.Thestrangersueditupbestitht

41、hequtatin,Thussheuldbealivingsernagainstsin,untiltheigniniusletterbeengravedupnhertbstne.NearintheendfhapterXIV;hillingrthsaystHesterthat,sineherfirststepintherngdiretin,“ithasallbeenadarkneessity7(P147)Hereferstthensequenesfheratin.HestersdisbedienetGdsillisheratfadultery,afearfulrdnPuritandays,frt

42、hisatagainstfidelityinarriageendangerstheverybasisandstrengthfthePuritanlife.HestersrebellintthePuritanisSendly,ifehaveaglipsefHestersstatefindandherattitudetardshersinduringherpunishentinsaffld;itisevidentthatHesterdesntfeelthatshehassinnedagainstGd.PartlythisissbeauseGdhasneverbeenaveryrealpresene

43、inherlife.Evenherlver,Diesdalejustreainsspirituallyinherind.HestershsherrebellinagainstPuritanisttheunity.Thisalsangetapprvedbyfllingstages.neis“herstrngprtestagainstherdaughterbeingtakenaayfrher.Antheris“herstandingutinhelpingherlver,theeakenedpriestDiesdaleagainsttheleeh,Rgerhillingrth.Hestersbrav

44、ely,inalargeextent,brughtuhsunlighttthesberPuritanialsiety.8(85)Frnething,shebreaksalafrlvefDiesdale.Franther,shepersistsinlvinghihenheisindanger.Infat,neaspetfPuritanisisaTrinityithabsluteper,ntrllingeverything.anhasnrealdeisinstakethingshihnerntherldarundhi,frGd-atHishi-illpletelydeidefrhi.Thereis

45、hpethrughthesarifiefthehrist.Butntallpeplearetbesaved.TheDtrineftheEletstatesthatGdhsesefrheavenandinthesaeanner,allstherstgthell.nedesntexatlyknhisdestinedfrheaven,buthldthegenerallyideathatreverendsaresentbyGdthelppeple.AsintheasefDiesdale,thehighlyreputableBstninisterthereisastrngfeelingthatsesai

46、ntedindividualsareertainlyfatedtgheavenard.InTheSarletLetter,partfDiesdalestrtureishisknledgefhisnsin,hihasntnfessed,illkeephifrheaven.Faithfulnessbeteenhusbandandifeisiprtant.ertainlyaandestinedfrheavenuldneveritadulteryasHesterPrynnedid.Sheuldntdsifsheishedt,beauseherndutisdeterinedaheadftie.Thent

47、,HesterandArthursatinareaffetedbypredestinatin.SineAdaandEva,anhaslstthepertakedeisinsfrhiself,frthe“riginalsindisbedienetGdsillintheGardenfEden.Sanhaslsttheperffreeill.Gdabslutelyakesallthedeisins.ButHesterdesntthinks.Shebelievesnehastherighttdeterinetheirndestiny.InrebellinagainstPuritanis,sheahie

48、veshergalandestunderstandthatthesietyisntfixedbyGdiniutablelabutissubjetthange.Sattheendfthestry,theauthrHathrnearrangesHesterbaktthetnhihshsthatHesterantstgivethepuritansietyabig-shfhervitryagainstthePuritanis.Shealsgivesthersreandreunderstandingfherlveflife.AlthughthePuritanbelievesthatanissavedby

49、faith,ratherthanbyrk,hihisalsseeninTheSarletLetter.verandveragain,Hesteraidsthsearundherhneedhelp.Sheespeiallyakesgreateffrtstnurseandsefrthepr.Hever,ftenthisgruprepaysherbytauntingherithbitterrds.AndintheffiialestiatinfthePuritans,itisipssiblefrHestertadvaneherstandingbyhelpingthers.D.Diesdalesatti

50、tudetardhissinInTheSarletLetter,DiesdaleandHesteritthesaesinbuttheysufferthedifferentpunishentandhavethedifferentattitudetardit.SinereliginassuhakeypintfthEirlives,anynehdiddisbeytheirgdaslkeddnupn.hatadereliginirniallyinthisstryisthatthedifferenebeteenpeplesattitudetardsthereverendandHester.Thereve

51、rendhhadittedthesaesinstillnhighreputatinbutHesteraslkeddnupnseverely.Diesdalesaid“befrethejudgent-seat,thyther,andthu,andI,uststandtgether!Butdaylightfthisrldshallntseeureeting!9(P129)ThereverendknshissinandantstbepunishedithHesterandPearl,yetntuntilhatheallsjudgentday.ThePuritansareintlerantfanyth

52、ingtheynsidertbeevil.Theirunity,Bstn,isanexperient,herethehristianrldisathingithinterestsintleranefevilustbetheirathrd.Hesterisfredtpenlyaepthershae.Diesdale,herlver,isabletavidpublishae.ButhenDiesdaleappearedagain,itseeedthatheassufferingfrprhealth.nereasnightbethathelabredlngandhardathisreligiusdu

53、ties,butantherreiprtantreasnasprbablythatheasplaguedbyhisnsiene,theknledgefhishyprisy.AnditisveryirnialthatasaPuritanauthritytdeterinetherssin,Diesdalehiselfisasinnerhhasittedadultery.ButheisanintransigentPuritanandnthinganakehihange-ntevendeath.HebeestheebdientfPuritanis,fllsrelselythananyphilsphyt

54、hathisrelatinshipithGdattersrethananythingelse,andthatheustnlyansertGd.HathrneusesDiesdaleasasyblfPuritanis.HepiksupandexaggeratestheflasinPuritanisandakesthebeeDiesdalesharateristis.DiesdalefeelsthatGdillpunishhifrhissinandthatheneednlyansertGdfrhissin,shekeepsitasaseret.Hetriestlivealifeasifnthing

55、hashanged,buthisguilteakenshiandendshiindeath.“Attheendfthenvel,hediedtragiallyinnfessinandatneentandbeaeavitiinreligiusnastiis.Therestraintfrreligininhuannaturentnlyreksthegd-peplelikeHesterbutalsruinsthedevutlergieslikeDiesdale.10(48)HeisthevitifthePuritansiety.AndantheraspetfPuritanisisthesurefGd

56、sill.ItisintheBible.ThePuritansdistrustnatureasaguidefrbehavir,hihjustexplainhyHesterandDiesdalefeelfreeinthefrestduringtheirtalk.UniversitytrainslergyensuhasDiesdaleandilsnfrabridge,Englandarehighlyrespeted,frtheyareellabletinterprettheeaningftheBible.David,Bathsheba,andNathantheprphetarentexatlyre

57、presentativefthehristianvirtuesffidelityephasizedbythePuritans.E.ThenfessininthePuritansietyInadditin,thePuritansgreatlyviethevaluefnfessin.ThefirstebersftheBstnPuritanhurharerequiredtakeapubliaknledgentftheirsins.Later,theneebersfthePuritangruparealledtnfesstheirsinsintheprivayftheinistersstudy.HHe

58、sterssarletsyblustdelighthervieers,frsheisnstantlynfessingttherldbydisplayingherletterfadultery!HunattrativetDiesdalethenfessingbe!Heanrkhiselfintanetinalstateinhihhefeelsthatatanyentheaynfesssuhashishuiliatininthepulpit,rhissreafrattentinnthesaffldintheiddlefthenight.But,afterhavingrelievedhisnsien

59、etseextentbythselngpreparatins,hethenretreatsfratuallytellinghissin.Hishiddensinburnsinsidehisbreast,thisrerseisintensifiedbythegadingfhillingrth,hhasnrealishtrevealDiesdaleasasinnerfhidingngregatin.Hisishisttrturehiiththughtsfpublishaeifdistrustindeisinsreahednlybythehead;thePuritansfeeltheneessity

60、funderstandingasaresultfspntaneusdeisiningfrtheheart.NtiethatDiesdalesgreatppularityasaspeakerstesfrhisnderfulabilitytexitetheiaginatin,nfirebuttheenthusiasfhishearers.Diesdalesgreatnessdesntappealslelyttheindhisgreatestsernsspeakttheheart.Finally,thefidelityinarriageandthesarednessfthefailyarebthst