Abstract Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose works are characterized by rich religious elements, especially his representative work The Scarlet Letter, is the most distinguished romantic novelist in the 19th century America. The masterpiece became an immediate success after its publication in 1850 and is becoming more and more influential in American literature. Through the analysis the development of the heroine Hester Prynne’s personality and destiny in the context of Puritanism, this thesis aims to reflect the positive influence of Puritanism upon her and reveals its illumination to the current American social morality.  53839

Keywords: Puritanism；ethical morality；The Scarlet Letter; Prynne Hester

摘要纳撒尼尔·霍桑的作品充满着浓厚的宗教主义色彩，尤其是代表作《红字》是美国19世纪最杰出的浪漫主义小说。这部杰作在1850年问世就立即获得了成功且在美国文学史上颇具影响力。本文通过分析在清教主义的环境下，主人公海斯特的性格和命运的发展，旨在反映清教主义对她的积极影响以及揭示出其对当今美国社会伦理道德的启示。

毕业论文关键词: 清教主义；伦理道德；《红字》；普林·海斯特

Contents

1. Introduction 1

1.1 A Brief Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne and His Work 1

1.2 The Writing Background of The Scarlet Letter 2

1.3 The Main Ideas of The Scarlet Letter 2

2. Literature Review 3

2.1 An Introduction to Puritanism 4

2.2 The Puritanical Principles 4

3. Puritanism Embodied in Hester’s Morality 5

3.1 Hester’s Original Sin and Salvation 5

3.2 Hester’s Diligence and Independence 6

3.3 Hester’s Tolerance and Thrift 8

3.4 Hester’s Introspection and Atonement 8

4.The Illumination of Puritanism to Current American Social Ethics 10

5.Conclusion 11

Works Cited 12

 1. Introduction 

Along with the economic booming and the social development, nowadays, more and more people are inclined to materialism and neglect current ethical morality so as to do a lot of inhuman and immoral things. They try their best to chase their desires and pursue what they want at all costs, which has violated ethical morality. However, it is all known that Puritanism has a profound influence on the development of America and constitutes the core values of Americans.

Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose works are characterized by rich religious elements, especially his representative work The Scarlet Letter, is the most distinguished romantic novelist in the 19th century America. Through the analysis the development of the heroine Hester Prynne’s personality and destiny in the context of Puritanism, this thesis aims to reflect the positive influence of Puritanism upon her and reveals its illumination to the current social morality. It is indispensable for people to treat Puritanism with dialectical eyes, that is to say, people need reject the dross and assimilate the essence.

1.1 A Brief Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne and His Work

Hawthorne was born on the fourth of July, 1804 in Salem Massachusetts. He is considered as the most distinguished and renowned American romance writer. His romantic writing is a landmark of the romantic period in American literature. The wonderful combination of symbols, contrast and psychoanalysis in best novel of romanticism——The Scarlet Letter, enables the readers to have a better understanding of the profound connotation and the theme of the novel.