Abstract: The Scarlet Letter is a masterpiece of a famous American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. Lots of scholars all over the world have studied on the subject of its theme, psychoanalysis method, feminist consciousness and symbolic writing techniques. This paper will focus on the theme of the novel from Puritanism, original sin, punishments and redemption committed by characters, especially the dark side of Puritanism in the novel. There are totally three chapters. In Chapter One, by analyzing background information of the novel which includes the religious background and the social background, readers can easily catch the tone and underlying thoughts of the novel which centered on sins. Then in Chapter Two, detailed analysis on sins and sinners reveals more darkness of the theme which helps readers to be more acquainted with both the content and the clue of the novel. Finally, in Chapter Three, some reflections which are based on unfair punishments between different characters in the novel and Hester's successful atonement pilgrimage are given.

Key words: The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne, dark theme, sin, punishment.

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

Introduction-1

Chapter One Background Information of the novel.-2

1.1 An Analysis on the Religious Background.-3

1.2 An Analysis on the Social Background.-5

Chapter Two The Dark Theme in the Novel-7

2.1 Original Sin-7

2.2 Sinners-8

2.2.1 Hester Prynne-8

2.2.2 Arthur Dimmesdale-10

2.2.3 Roger Chillingworth-12

2.2.4 Ministers and Citizens-14

Chapter Three The Reflections on the Dark Theme in The Scarlet Letter-14

3.1 Unfair Punishments-14

3.2 Atonement Pilgrimage-16

Conclusion-18

Bibliography-19

Acknowledgements-20