An Analysis of Feminism in The Scarlet Letter分析《红字》中的女权主义.doc

PAGE 本科毕业设计（论文） An Analysis of Feminism in The Scarlet Letter Abstract Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most influential writers in America in the 19th century. His novel The Scarlet Letter published in 1850 ensures his permanent fame in literature. In this novel Hawthorne sets his story in the 17th century American Boston under the rule of Puritan magistrates. Taking Hesters adultery being found and punished as a clue, Hawthorne describes the characterization of Hester and explores womens inner world and their fate. This thesis is to explore his feminist consciousness embodied in The Scarlet Letter by applying feminist critical theories and methodology. Through the analysis of the thesis, especially the characterization of the protagonist Hester, we find that Hawthorne has feminist consciousness which is rare in other male writers. Hester, an adulteress, is cast off in the marginal place of the patriarchal society, but Hawthorne purposely put her in the center of his story, endowing her with a position of subjectivity. As to her disobedience and rebellion against the male-dominated society, he offers his great sympathy, and shows his appreciation for her. Hester is depicted as a feminist precursor whose rebellion and feminist thought bring about some social changes. It is Hawthornes feminist consciousness that contributes to the successful creation of a rebellious woman Hester, which helps us understand the existing situation of women and causes people to attach great importance to womens experience and value. Key words: Hawthorne； feminism consciousness； Hester 摘要 纳桑尼尔·霍桑是美国文学史上最具影响力的作家之一。他的小说《红字》使他永葆文坛盛誉。小说以十七世纪清教徒统治下的美国波士顿为背景，以海丝特因通奸被发现而受罚为线索刻画了海丝特这一人物形象并展开对以海丝特为代表的女性人物的内心世界及命运的探索。霍桑作为一个男性作家，由于其独特的家庭、政治、宗教等背景使其在作品中表现出男性作家少有的女性意识。本文将运用女权主义批评理论和方法来揭示霍桑在小说《红字》中所表现出来的女性意识。通过分析其作品文本尤其对主人公海丝特的刻画，我们发现霍桑在作品中表现出男性作家少有的女性意识。海丝特，作为一个通奸的罪者，被抛在社会的边缘，可是霍桑在其作品中把她放在中心位置，赋予她主体地位。对于海丝特对父权社会的不从和反叛，霍桑表现出极大的同情，同时对海丝特的独特品质表现出欣赏。海丝特被描写成一个具有反叛意识和女权思想的女性，她起到了社会变革的作用。正是由