【Key words】Acceptance Doubt The Scarlet Letter 【Abstract】 Nathaniel Hawthorne, a well - known American writer in 19th century, was deeply influenced by puritan thoughts. Because of the complication of Puritanism itself, Hawthorne’s attitude towards it was also complicated. Acceptance and doubt was co - existence. On one hand, the author admitted puritan thoughts and its values; on the other hand, he criticized the effect of Puritanical ethic morality on human spirits. His masterpiece, The scarlet Letter, shows his acceptance and doubt toward Puritan ethic morality. ⅠIntroduction Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was written in 18th century. The setting of The Scarlet Letter is the 17th century in Boston, America. Before proceeding to the analysis of Hawthorne’s attitude toward Puritanism in the novel, some fundamental definitions need to be established. Who were the Puritans? What is their ideology and lifestyle? What is the author’s family background? ⅡPuritans To understand the origins of Puritanism and its position with regard to other Christian religions, let us look at a simple diagram:
Ⅲ Puritans’ ideology and lifestyle Puritan is the name given in the 16th century to the more extreme Protestants within the Church of England. These Protestants thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in reforming the doctrines and structure of the church. They wanted to purify their church. In the 17th century many Puritans immigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. “The Puritans did not allow religious dissent (holding different religious belief).They insisted that high position, and achievements were signs of ‘eternal grace’, that is, favor of God, and they wanted to force God’s will on the rest of mankind. Puritan tradition also involved a respect for learning which led to the establishment of schools and the spread of literacy.” Puritanism remains the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century. It should be pointed out that Puritans were a group of serious, religious people, advocating highly religious and moral principles. They believe that the church should be restored to complete “purity”, they accepted the doctrine of predestination, original sin and total depravity, and limited atonement through a special infusion of grace from God. Puritans’ lives were extremely disciplined and hard. Ⅳ Hawthorne’s family background Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem, his hometown, has ever been the place where Puritanism forces are rampant and several generations of his ancestors are fanatic Puritans. His family was of Puritan belief for generations and had been prominent in the area since colonial times. Therefore, the rich Puritanism thought from his family has deep-rooted effect on Hawthorne. Hawthorne knew Bible very well and went to church frequently. However, things like the witch trials, where innocent people had to die, could happen in his Puritan hometown of Salem, which led him to the opinion that the fusion of religious dogma and political authority was the worst evil. He was also shocked by the Puritan injustice, and was convinced that there was both good and evil in Puritanism. On one hand, he assails Puritan criminal behaviors such as religious fanaticism and impermissibility to heresy; on the other hand, he takes the religious basic creed as the criterion to cognition and judgment. The contradictive mentality is typically and deeply represented in his masterpiece “The Scarlet Letter”. Ⅴ The summary of the story The novel, The Scarlet Letter, is about the struggle three people face while trying to live their lives in a Puritan society. In the early 1640s, Hester has come to the small town of Boston, Massachusetts, from Great Britain, while her husband, Chillingworth has left to deal with something .But after then, there is no news about him and nobody know whether he is alive or not for two years. Then she falls in love with Dimmesdale, a young handsome clergyman and then has a baby, Pearl. When her “adultery” is discovered, she is punished to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest all her life. Her husband, Roger, tries his best to torment Dismmesdale. And Dimmesdale, suffering from both physical and spirit torment, announces his “sin” at last, he dies an honest man. Roger, withers at last. Prynne, restructures her life and wins people’s respect. Pearl, leaves for Europe, marries a noble family, leading a happy life. Ⅵ Character list A) Hester Prynne A young woman sent to the colonies by her husband, who plans to join her later but is presumed lost at sea. She is a symbol of the acknowledged sinner; one whose transgression has been identified and who makes appropriate, socio-religious atonement. B) Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale |
