Abstract: Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most important American romantic writers in the nineteenth century. The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne has exerted great impact on symbolism. This paper mainly focuses on the analysis of the symbolic meanings in The Scarlet Letter from the perspective of romanticism and psychology. It also summarizes the symbolic significance of the main characters and the scenes. The paper falls into five parts. The first part mainly makes the introduction to Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter. At the same time it defines the symbolism in short. The second part analyses different meanings that the letter A is endued with. The third and the fourth parts explore the different meanings both in characters and scenes so as to better grasp its multiple, ethereal, and even conflicting symbolic meanings. Lastly, a conclusion is reached to sketch the significance that The Scarlet Letter stamps on symbolism in American literature. 

Key words: symbolism; The Scarlet Letter; symbolic meaning 

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne

1.2 Introduction to The Scarlet Letter 

1.3 Definition of Symbolism

2. Analysis of Symbolic Meanings in The Scarlet Letter4

2.1 Analysis of the Letter “A”

2.1.1 Symbolic Meaning of “Adultery”

 2.1.2 Symbolic Meaning of “Amour”

 2.1.3 Symbolic Meaning of “Ability”

 2.1.4 Symbolic Meaning of “Angel”

2.2 Analysis of the Characterization

  2.2.1 Symbolic Meaning of Hester Prynne

  2.2.2 Symbolic Meaning of Arthur Dimmesdale

  2.2.3 Symbolic Meaning of Roger Chillingworth

2.3 Analysis of the Settings

 2.3.1 Symbolic Meaning of Prison

  2.3.2 Symbolic Meaning of Scaffold

  2.3.3 Symbolic Meaning of Rosebush

  2.3.4 Symbolic Meaning of Meteor

3. Conclusion

Bibliography

Acknowledgments