Abstract:The Scarlet Letter is the masterpiece of Nathaniel Hawthorne, a famous American romantic novelist, and it is well known for its use of rich symbols and symbolism. 

　　　Symbolism refers to the use of a concrete object or action to represent an abstract idea. Because of the affect of the symbols, the delicate feelings, the complicated social phenomenon and the essence of the human nature’s conflicts concerned in whatever places are all displayed impressively.

　　　In the novel of The Scarlet Letter, the Letter "A" changes its meanings with the development of the story. The original meaning of the scarlet letter A is “Adultery”. It’s a symbol of evil and a punishment for her crime. But as the story develops, the letter A may further imply Hester’s “aloneness” and “alienation” she stands, her “aspiration” for a new life , “able”, “angle”, “admirable” she is to be, “Americanism” her words and deeds show and even Arther Dimmesdale, her lover.

　　　The novel begins with Letter A and ends with Letter A. It is necessary, helpful and instructive to study and interpret the different symbolic meanings of the Letter A. The interpretation of them may help better understand and appreciate the novel of The Scarlet Letter, and the purpose of its creation.

Key words: Hawthorne; the letter A ; Symbolism; Hester; Adultery, Americanism

摘要:《红字》是美国著名浪漫主义作家纳撒尼尔·霍桑的代表作。这部小说以丰富的象征主义艺术手法闻名于世。

　　　象征主义是指用一个具体的物体或者行动去表现一种抽象的思想，由于象征作用，小说往往能把微妙的感觉表现出来，同时把复杂的社会现象和人类冲突的本质都概括出来。

　　　在小说《红字》中，字母“A”作为主线贯穿始终, 其含义随着主题的发展而发生变化，不同的隐含意义是为小说的主题模糊性服务的。红字A的原始意义是通奸，是罪恶的象征，但随着故事的发展，A字就象征着女主角海斯特内心的孤独和与世隔绝、她所承受的痛苦，和她对美好生活的渴望。

　　　故事再进一步发展，海斯特用自己的智慧，自食其力，吃苦耐劳，表现出坚忍不拔的勇气。海斯特慢慢地被人们所接受，她的才能也赢得了社会的钦佩。海斯特所佩戴的 A的意义也随之发生了变化，渐渐地，人们不再把A字视为罪恶的象征，而是赋予了新的内涵。A字是指能干、令人赞美的、天使和美国精神的意思。

　　　小说以A开始以A结束。探讨和解读“A”字在小说中的不同象征意义和作用有助于 更好地理解和欣赏《红字》这部经典著作和作者的写作意图。

关键词：海斯特、 A字、象征意义、 通奸、美国精神