An Eco-critical Interpretation On The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most influential writers in American literature in 19th century. His famous novel The Scarlet Letter published in 1850 ensures his permanent fame in literature. In his novel Hawthorne sets his story in the 17th century American Boston under the rule of Puritan magistrates. Hawthorne successfully depicts the strictness of the Puritanism of that time and its cruel killing of human nature by presenting a realistic setting and puritanical philosophy. Hawthorne, however, aims not only to expose the harsh state of the Puritan society of that time. In the novel Hawthorne exposes the ecological crisis of nature. And he also exposes the crisis of men's spiritual ecology, which is much more severe and leads to the crisis of natural ecology. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne offers his way to heal the crisis as well. He appeals that man should join nature and keep a harmonious relation with nature. Such kind of harmonious relationship between man and nature is what Hawthorne and his contemporaries are seeking for. Only in such kind of harmonious condition can human beings live happily and develop on a right way. Based on a close reading of the novel, and by using the theory of ecocriticism, this thesis aims to study the Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter from the perspective of ecocriticism. In thesis, the crisis of natural ecology is analyzed, and also the deeper crisis—the crisis of spiritual ecology. At the same time, Hawthorne's solution to heal the crisis is also analyzed. Hawthorne suggests that when human beings join nature and keep a harmonious relation with nature the crisis can be solved.This thesis contains three chapters with one introduction and a conclusion. In the introduction part Nathaniel Hawthorne's biography, and plot review of The Scarlet Letter are briefly introduced. In addition, the general introduction of ecocriticism is also introduced in this part. The introduction part also scans the previous studies of The Scarlet Letter at home and abroad and presents the central argument of this thesis. Chapter one focuses on expressions of nature's crisis. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne's deserted hometown, the wild rose-bush, the destroyed valley and the governor's barren garden are the typical crisis of natural ecology.Chapter two analyzes the spiritual crisis of the characters in The Scarlet Letter. Through the analysis it is pointed out that the spiritual crisis is the deeper crisis and the origin of nature's crisis. The selfish and hypocritical characters in the novel is typical in the society. In that kind of society the characters'inner heart is lonely and human nature is eroded.Chapter three analyzes Hawthorne's solution to heal the crisis. Through the description of the harmonious relationship between man and nature in the forest, Hawthorne appeals that man should keep a close and harmonious relationship with nature, which is the top concern of ecocriticism. Human beings should regard nature as a good friend because only in nature their crisis can be solved.The conclusion part reviews the eco-critical study of The Scarlet Letter. Also in this part, the significance and value of my study are reinforced.