试析《红字》中蒂姆斯代尔的“罪”

An Analysis of Arthur Dimondale's Crime in Scarlet Letter

美国作家霍桑的名作《红字》中的男主人公蒂姆斯代尔一直以来被认为是性格懦弱但生性善良的牧师,评论界历来把他塑造为一个怯于勇敢追求真爱的弱者形象。但是以宗教的视角来解读该人物,除其性格软弱和伪善外,他所犯下的法律意识上的实罪、宗教信仰上的判教之罪以及精神的罪都颇为值得探究。

The male protagonist Arthur Dimondale in Nathaniel Hawthorne＇s Scarlet Letter has been regarded as a coward but kindhearted priest. What＇s more, he has been shaped in the circle of literature criticism as a man who dare pursue his true love, meanwhile he demonstrates his weakness in character, that is, a coward. However, a fresh appreciation of the character from the perspective of the religion may make us gain a keen perception of his crimes in law, in religion as well as in mind. At the same time, we may not always criticize him for being too weak in the pursuit of love.