Abstract

     The theme of The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Jade King, by Huo Da, is the conflict between religion and human nature. These two novel  portray the struggles the heroes and heroines have when they face the choice of religion and the beautiful love, the love tragedies caused by the world and religion.

     Set in the colonial period of North America, the Scarlet Letter exposes the persecution of human nature and love caused by Puritanism through the miserable experience of the heroine Hester Prynne. The Jade King, however, narrates the rise and decline of a Muslim family and the ups and downs of three generations during 60 years. Though these two stories happen in different countries and ages, they do have some similarities in the theme and plot line.

     This thesis will analyze how love tragedies are caused by the shackles of religion. It is made up of three parts. Chapter One deals with the creation background of these two novels. Chapter Two deals with the manifestation that religious doctrines constrain love. Chapter Three focus on analyzing the personalities of the heroes and heroines.

Key words religion love humanity

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

1.Introduction-4

2.The creation background of the two novels-5

2.1.Personal backgrounds of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Huo Da-5

2.2.The social background of the two novels-6

2.3.Authors’ intention of writing-7

3.The manifestation that religious doctrines constrain love-8

3.1.The doctrines of Puritanism-8

3.2.The doctrines of Muslim-10

4.Characters’ different personalities-11

4.1.The bravery and rebellion of Hester-11

4.2.The ambivalence of Dimmesdale-13

4.3.The bravery of Han Bingyu and Chu Yanchao-14

4.4.The loyal defender of Muslim-Liang Junbi-16

5.Conclusion-17

Bibliography-17

Acknowledgments-18