【導讀】《紅字》是一部關(guān)于愛情，清教，復仇的美國經(jīng)典浪漫主義文學作品，無疑是文學史上的一大巨作。小說的主題是“罪惡”。它向我們展示了主人公“凈?；毙撵`的歷程。通過自己的善行和努力，主人公改變了自己在人們心中的形象，甚至將原來表示“通奸”的標志“A”字，變成了德行的象征，贏得人們的尊敬。該作品大量引用象征主義創(chuàng)作手法，并且引起讀者的關(guān)注和共鳴?！都t字》為美國文學的發(fā)展和繁榮立下了不朽的功勛。

　　

【正文】 little Pearl and her father Dimmesdale and the result of Dimmesdale‘s own inner world struggles”（聶 ,2021:1） . Dimmesdale finally confessed the truth. Hester and Dimmesdale were finally together facing the people while little Pearl kissing her father seems to break a spell The first time we know Hester is when she is leaded out from the prison. The prison represents several different symbols. Foremost it is a symbol for the Puritanical severity of law. The description of the prison indicates that it is old, rusted, yet strong with an ―ironclamped oaken door.‖ This represents the rigorous enforcement of laws and the inability to break free of them. The prison also serves as the symbol of the authority of the regime, which will not tolerate crimes. The rose bush is a symbol of passion. As will later bee obvious, Hester Prynne39。s sin is one of passion, thus linking her crime to the image of the rosebush. Hawthorne also indirectly pares Hester with Ann Hutchinson via the rosebush, and again makes the same parallel in Chapter 13, Another View of Hester. Hawthorne cleverly links the rosebush to the wilderness surrounding Boston, menting that the bush may be a remnant of the former forest, which covered the area. This is important, because it is only in the forest wilderness where the Puritans39。 laws fail to have any force. Thus the image of the rosebush serves to foreshadow that some of the passionate wilderness, in the form of Hester Prynne, may have accidentally made its way into Boston. The rosebush in full bloom indicates that Hester is at the peak of her passion. This parallels the fact that Hester has just born a child as a result of her passion. The child is thus parable to the blossoms on the rosebush. Hawthorn39。s ment that the rose may serve as a moral blossom in the story is therefore actually saying that Hester39。s child will serve to provide the moral of the story. Then after releasing from the prison, Hester chooses to live in the forest. In the novel, the forest is also a symbolic place where withers gather and represents love and 13 wilderness. It is nature but not man that dominates the forest. People are more the creature of the nature than the society. The society‘s rules do not apply there. Thus misbehavior is allowed there. When Hester and Dimmesdale meet in the forest, they should not keep distance and conceal their love to each other, they bee happy young lover again. Dimmesdale, who is tortured by the worldly vexations, get strength and peace in the forest. The stream appearing repeatedly in the novel has symbolic effect. The stream originating mysterious spring water flows in the dark and gloomy place, which symbolizes Pearl39。s life story: half of her life story is mysterious (for her father39。s identity is unknown). Meanwhile, the stream indicates that Pearl39。s life with mother depressed (when puritan children and their parents are hostile to them).In the chapter nieen, Pearl refuses to across the stream, standing on the other side of the boundary. Because Hester picked off the Scarlet Letter A worn in the front of bosom. At that time, the stream is the unapproachable boundary between two worldsthe child and the parents, and the bitter lovers can not really see their daughter. 14 Chapter Five Conclusion Symbolism is a traditional artistic form。 it also is a major feature of Romanticism. As a famous writer of romanticism, Hawthorne is skillful at the using of symbolism in his works. The various usage of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter makes the novel a work of the world. In an effort to better understand the novel, this essay has explored the use of symbolism in the novel from the following three aspects: the changing symbolic meaning of the scarlet letter, the name of the major characters and many objects that are described in the novel. The whole novel takes the scarlet letter ―A‖ as the clue and the meaning of the scarlet letter has changed with the development of plots. In addition, we can see that the writer holds different attitude toward the three sinners in the story. Hester, as a heroine, is presented as a beautiful and brave woman as well as a kind and sympathetic lady, who in the end wins a new life and freedom. Dimmesdale is presented as a coward and hypocrite as well as a victim. Chillingworth is presented as a devil. Through the story, Hawthorne saw so much sin in men and the world. He told us that people should be true, honest and ever ready to show one‘s worst to the outside world. He believed that men‘s sinfulness could not be altered. 15 Acknowledgement I would like to show my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Miss Lu Rong, who has gived me considerable help by means of ment, suggestion and criticism. Without her illuminating instruction, unwavering support and patience, this thesis could not have reached its present form. In addition, I sincerely thank to all of my teachers who have helped me to develop the fundamental and essential academic petence. Last but not least, I want to thank all of my friends, especially my dear roommates, for their help and support.