Nathanial Hawthorne is an extremely renowned American writer of fiction. He not only has created quiet a few classic novels, but also has written quantities of thought-provoking short stories. Until now, Hawthorne and his works have been the focus of discussion from the Chinese and foreign scholars. The theme of The Scarlet Letter is characterized by multiplicity and various conclusions are dram in the filed of the thematic studies. It seems that scholars have shown major concern with such diathesis as the original sin, the moral consciousness of Hawthorne, religious belief, individual and society, thoughts of female doctrine and the conflict between the head and the heart. However, very few scholars have ever done a thorough research into the loneliness diathesis of the novel. These detailed analyses four characters’ loneliness and express the aspects of loneliness in The Scarlet Letter.
Abstract.........................................................................Ⅰ
Key Words........................................................................Ⅰ
摘 要...........................................................................Ⅱ
关键词...........................................................................Ⅱ
Introduction.....................................................................1
Ⅰ. A Brief Information about Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter.........2
A.A Brief Introduction about Nathaniel Hawthorne..............................2
B.A Brief Introduction about the Novel........................................2
Ⅱ. Causes the Aspects of Loneiness in The Scarlet Letter........................4
A.Hawthorne’s Loneliness in His Personal Life................................4
B.Social and Cultural Backdrops of the Novel..................................4
Ⅲ. Four Characters’ Loneliness in The Scarlet Letter...........................5
A .Hester Prynne’s Lonely Pursuer for Love...................................5
B .Chillingworth’s Lonely Revenge-Seeker.....................................6
C .Dimmesdale’s Lonely Beggar for God’s Grace...............................7
D .Pearl’s Lonely Asking for Recongnition....................................9
Ⅳ. Symbolic Repersentations of Loneliness.......................................10
Conclusion.......................................................................13
Acknowledgements.................................................................14
Bibliography.....................................................................15
