美国文学——红字Unit 4 the Scarlet Letter（课堂PPT）

1、.1 I TOPIC: The Scarlet LetterThe Market of PlaceII OBJECTIVES:A) Introduction to the romanceB) The main idea of the novel and the themesC) Comment on the main characters D) Symbolic significance of the scarlet letter “A”E) Study of the chapter The main idea of Chapter 2 Analysis of the image of Hes

2、ter Prynne (Chapter 2) Stylistic features Narrative techniqueTopic 1Introduction to the romance.3 A romance of psychological paradox Key words: effects or consequences of the sin the tension between society and individuals a sense of historical reality and an air of authenticity Dimmesdales remorse;

3、 Chillingworths psychological revenge and Hesters speculation on the possibilities of human condition. the complexity of human psychology.4 It is about adultery, but not about sex. Key words: classic portrayal of Puritan America the passionate, forbidden love affair.5It is about punishment, but not

4、about crime.Key words: to hide sin to wither spiritually as well as physically condemnation and purify to revenge to accept punishment and get new life.6Topic 2The main idea of the novel and the themesThe main idea: Key words: An aging English scholar Chillingworth a scarlet letter “A” on ones breas

5、t illicit child . to disguise as a physician and change ones name the truth to reestablish fellowship to confess sin Pearls fate.7 The themes: The story is seemingly simple, but it relates the allegory of sinners and the conflict between intellect and natural emotion so that we see not only the auth

6、ors judgment of the 17th century Puritan society but also his clear perception of human psychology and the human indictment in almost any human community. The thematic concern of the author is not so much about the sin itself as about the effect of the sin on the people involved and the society as a

7、 whole. Along with the fusion of the fundamental moral emphasis and human psychology, Hawthorne effectively uses symbolism to give the book much of its value.8 Topic 3Comment on the main charactersHester: 1. reconstruct her life2. never hide her character and identity3. bear her humiliation with sup

8、reme dignity and her agony 4. submit to the punishment and perform acts of charity to those in trouble.9 Dimmesdale: He is a fallen Puritan priest, but a rising romantic celebrity. He undergoes the tragic experience of physical and spiritual disintegration. He hides his sin and suffers the condemnat

9、ion of his inner heart and his soul is purified. He undergoes the tragic experience of physical and spiritual disintegration. He owes his success to his mere eloquence, to his charisma. His power is rooted in inspiration, not in reasoning. His sermons are about himself. He has become his own message

10、.10Chillingworth: He is a scholar, is a real villain, the embodiment of pure intellect, who commits “the unpardonable sin”.11Their different results: Hester faces her sin honestly and frankly and accepts punishment, and gets new life with good morality. Dimmesdale hides his sin and suffers the conde

11、mnation of his inner heart and his soul is purified. Chillingworth is eager to revenge and become a real villain from a sufferer.12.13Topic 4Symbolic significance of the scarlet letter “A” Different layers of symbolic meanings: “Adultery”, “Able”. “Angel” “Admirable or Art, or Advance, even America”

12、.14Topic 5Study of the chapternThe main idea of Chapter 2n On a certain morning in the middle of the seventeenth centuryn throng of men, intermixed with womenn the sentence of a legal tribunal n Hester Prynne n the scaffoldn a humiliation and an agony for three hours15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22C) Stylist

13、ic features1) Symbolismall with their eyes intently fastened on the iron-clamped oaken door.(p28) Comment: It may well symbolize the restrictive law and forces that are typical of the Puritan society, as well as a reminder of the presence of evil or sin.23an idle and vagrant Indian,was to be driven

14、with stripes into the shadow of the forest.(p28) Comment: It implies moral wilderness in the seventeenth century Puritan society in New England.the staff of office in his hand(p29): the Puritan law.242) Contrastlike a black shadow emerging into the sunshine, the grim and grisly presence of the town-

15、beadle, with a sword by his side and the staff of office in his hand.(p29) (The contrast signifies in general a sharp dualism of Good and Evil.).252) Contrastthis beautiful woman, so picturesque in her attire and mien, and with the infant at her bosom, an object to remind him of the image of Divine

16、Maternity,that sacred image of sinless motherhood, whose infant was to redeem the world.(pp31-32) the world was only the darker for this womans beauty, and the more lost for the infant that she had borne.(p32)She saw her face, glowing with girlish beauty, and illuminating all the interior of the dus

17、ky mirror in which she had been wont to gaze at it.(p33) a new life, but feeding itself on time-worn materials, like a tuft of green moss on a crumbling wall.(p33).263) RepetitionIt might be that a sluggish bond-servant, or an undutiful child.(p29)It might be that an Antinomian, a Quaker.(p29)It mig

18、ht be, too, that a witch.(p29) Comment: The syntactical repetition implies not only the social reality of those days but also stresses the theme of sin.27D) Narrative Techniques Narrative Point of View 1) With the third person point of view omniscient, Hawthorne, as the “all knowing” narrator of the novel, firmly imposes his presence between the reader and the story, and retains complete control over the narrative. The great