Abstract:

The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a famous novel in American literature in the 19th century. Readers have shown a keen interest in Hawthorne’s works since the first Chinese translation of The Scarlet Letter was spread to China.The article mainly introduces the general plot and background of The Scarlet Letter, aiming at exploring the causes of Dimmesdale’ tragedy by analyzing his dual identities and personalities. In the novel, comparison is used to analyze Hester and Dimmesdale’s different choices when they are faced with the same situations, which clearly demonstrates Dimmesdale’s weakness of the character. Dimmesdale’s weakness, selfishness and hypocrisy are the factors resulting in his tragedy. In addition, the article also covers external factors of Dimmesdale’ misfortune. Firmly locking himself in the castle piled up by the Puritanism, Dimmesdale is so lonely and helpless that he ultimately goes to death.
   
Key words:The Scarlet Letter; Hawthorne; Dimmesdale; personalities; tragedy

摘要：

《红字》是十九世纪美国作家霍桑的杰作。自从本世纪五十年代，其译本被传入我国以来，广大读者就对这部作品产生了极大的兴趣。 本篇论文主要介绍了《红字》的故事梗概以及创作背景，旨在通过对小说主人公，牧师丁梅斯代尔双重身份的解读以及对他性格的分析来探讨造成其悲剧命运的原因。小说中，运动对比的手法，分析了面对同一境况时，海斯特与丁梅斯代尔的不同选择，进而更清晰地彰显了牧师的性格弱点。相比海斯特的勇敢和坚忍，丁梅斯代尔的胆小懦弱、自私和虚伪也必定是他悲剧命运的原因之一。除了牧师自身的性格因素，论文还分析了造成他悲惨结局的外在因素。清教主义在当时的盛行对人们的思想和行为有着很大的影响。丁梅斯代尔的思想和行为被清教主义所左右，在思想和情感上都孤立无援，最终走向了消亡。

关键词：《红字》; 霍桑; 丁梅斯代尔; 性格; 悲剧

1  Introduction
1.1  About the Author ——Hawthorne
Hawthorne was born in 1804 in America. He is recognized as the most famous romance American writer, whose romantic writing skill is a new landmark of the romantic period in the history of American literature. Before his great masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter, was known by people, he had created plenty of immortal classic works and started to show his prominent and unique writing talents in American literature.
Although Hawthorne was not really a Puritan, he and Puritan ancestors have deep roots. So Hawthorne was influenced by Puritanism to some extent. For Puritanism, Hawthorne held contradictory opinions. On the one hand, he understood and acknowledged Puritan beliefs. On the other hand, he was deeply suspicious of the harsh and cruel canon laws which violated the human nature. Young Hawthorne had been aware of the crimes of the ancestors who considered Puritanism to be supreme and inviolable. But unfortunately, he cannot escape the fate that his thoughts and life were controlled by Puritanism. Indeed, Contradictory thoughts had great effects on him. At that time, American capitalism was developing at a rapid speed.