Abstract: The scarlet letter，written by Hawthorne, is a representative work which reflects  American puritan thoughts. This paper analyzes Hawthorne’s characterization of the four principle characters and his design of their ending. These characters are distorted and constrained under the control of Puritanism. The analysis shows the paradox of Hawthorne’s puritan thoughts. On the one hand, he is deeply influenced by the puritan thoughts, so he can’t get rid of some religious views, such as original sin, and atonement. On the other hand, he is strongly opposed to the hypocrisy of Puritanism and its autocracy and deeply detests Puritan persecution of ordinary people. 

Key words: The scarlet letter; Hawthorne; Puritanism; Paradox

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 The Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter 

  1.2 Puritanism and Hawthorne’s Puritan Thoughts          

2. The Paradox of Hawthorne’s Puritan Thoughts in The Scarlet Letter.3

  2.1 The Paradox in Characterization

    2.1.1 Hester Prynne

    2.1.2 Dimmesdale

    2.1.3 Chillingworth

    2.1.4 Pearl

  2.2 The Paradox in Hawthorne’s Design of Characters’ Fate

3. Conclusion.8

Bibliography10

Acknowledgements.11