An Analysis Of The Integration Of Puritanism And Gothic Tradition In Hawthorne's Works

Nathaniel Hawthorne(1804-1864)is one of the most influential writers in American literature in the 19th century. His numerous works, including four romances, The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, Blithedale Romance, Marble Faun and other tales, had won him solid prestige in American literature. His literary fame didn't rely only on his artistry and penetrating insight into human nature, but also on his concentration on Puritanism, mysticism, and feminism. In the research of Hawthorne's works, people focus a lot on The Scarlet Letter and the application of symbolism, Puritanism, mysticism and feminism. While the perfect integration of Puritanism and Gothic tradition in Hawthorne's works is rarely mentioned. The thesis, based on the research that has been achieved so far in this field, attempts to clarify the integration of Puritanism and Gothic tradition in Hawthorne's works, and to probe into Hawthorne's inheritance and transcendence of Gothic tradition and Hawthorne's profoundly elaboration of Puritanism through Gothic means of artistic expression. Compared with traditional puritanical novels, Hawthorne's"Puritanical Gothic Fiction"possesses a new means of artistic expression, and endows Gothic Fictions with more meanings and thoughts.The thesis falls into six parts including Introduction, four chapters and Conclusion. In Introduction, the thesis mainly introduces Hawthorne's status in both American and the world literary history, reviews domestic and foreign scholars'comments on Hawthorne and the present research situation, then summarizes the purpose and significance of this thesis. The first chapter introduces Puritanism in early America and its influence on Nathaniel Hawthorne and Hawthorne's conflicting Puritanical view originate from his social and family background and the inherent paradox of Puritanism. The second chapter analyzes Hawthorne's dark Puritanical view reflected in some of his works. The third chapter handles Gothic tradition's influence on Hawthorne. The fourth chapter analyzes Hawthorne's Gothic view reflected in some of his works. The conclusion is the commentary on the integration of Puritanism and Gothic tradition in Hawthorne's works, which makes Gothic novels more plentiful and puritanical novels more profound.