霍桑TheScarletLetter赏析PPT课件

1、 Brief Introduction Brief Introduction The Scarlet Letter has been hailed both as the first symbolic novel and as the first psychological novel in America.With the publication of this novel in 1850,Hawthornes reputation as a major American author has been on the increase ever since.第1页/共13页 Plot Ove

2、rview Plot Overview The story describes the illicit love affair of Hester Prynne with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester is a young married woman whose husband was presumed to have been lost at sea on the journey.She begins a secret adulterous relationship with Arthur Dimmesdale,and becomes pregnant

3、 with a daughter,whom she names Pearl.第2页/共13页 Then,she is publicly vilified(中伤）and forced to wear the scarlet letter “A” on her clothing to identify her as an adulteress,but she loyally refuses to reveal the identity of her lover.She accepts the punishment with graces and refuses to be defeated by

4、the shame inflicted upon her by society.Eventually, Dimmesdale publicly admits his part in the adultery and dies in Hesters arms.第3页/共13页Theme of the Scarlet LetterTheme of the Scarlet LetterLove,lust,Sin,Evil,Revenge,Rebellion,loyalty1.It shows the conflict between human nature and social human.(自然

5、人与社会人的冲突）2.It exposes the cruelty of society,the deception of religion and the hypocrisy of morality in 19th century.3.It reflects the Calvinistic(加尔文主义的) thought of “Original sin”.4.It also expresses Hawthornes devout and doubtful attitude to ethics and morality of Puritanism.The effect of sin 罪恶论罪

6、恶论第4页/共13页StructureStructureThe structure of the story follows a chronological order with periodic flashbacks and with foreshadowing.The novel is a good example of fiction,not for its ideas but for art.Structural link:Three scaffold(刑台) scenes bring main characters together,unfold all the conflictio

7、n,make the novel well knitted and woven together.第5页/共13页Major CharactersMajor CharactersHesterThe heroineBeautifulBrave and strongAssiduous Kind-heartedA rebel of puritanHelp neighbors and the poor.Exposed sinDimmesdaleHesters loverLearned scholarFeebleGloomy,weak-mindedSelfish and hypocriticA devo

8、ted servant of GodConcerned sin第6页/共13页Hesters husbandOld and uglySnaky and cruelJealous His deformed shouldersmirror his distorted soul.He is interested in revenge.True sin/evilChillingworthPearlHesters daughterInnocent and pureMischievousBraveA symbol of the hopeThe beautiful and precious pearl bo

9、rn within an ugly clam.(her mothers shame)A living scarlet letter第7页/共13页Symbolism in this novel Symbolism in this novel Hawthorne is a master of symbolism.The symbol can be found everywhere in this novel. (The name of the main characters,scaffold,prison,vegetation,wild rose-bush,forest,brook) Hawth

10、orne emphasizes the consequence the sin of adultery has brought to the community and people living in that community. The scarlet letter A is the biggest symbol of all.As a key to the whole novel,the letter A takes on different layers of symbolic meanings as the plot develops.第8页/共13页Symbol of the S

11、carlet LetterSymbol of the Scarlet Letter A A(Symbolic of her moral development is the gradual,imperceptible change which the scarlet letter undergoes in meaning.)At first it is a token of shame,”Adultery”,but then the genuine sympathy and help Hester offers to her fellow villagers changes it to “Ab

12、le”.Later in the story,the letter A appears in the sky,signifying “Angel”.第9页/共13页The letter A initially is a sign of adultery and penitence(忏悔),as the community sees the letter as a mark of just punishment and a symbol to deter others from sin.Hester is a fallen woman with a symbol of her guilt.Lat

13、er,when she becomes a frequent visitor in homes of pain and sorrow,the A is seen to represent “Able” or “Angel”.It has rejuvenated Hester and changed her meaning in the eyes of the community.第10页/共13页The scarlet letter is not a praise of a Hester Prynne sinning,but a hymn on the moral growth of the woman when sinned against. Hawthornes writting style in this novelHawthornes writting style in thi