个体与社会的冲突和妥协——解读《红字》中海丝特与清教社区的关系

Conflict and Compromise between Individual and Society——On the Relationship between Hester and Puritan Community in The Scarlet Letter

个性主义是美国人性格中极其重要的一部分,但它就象一把双刃剑,在显示个性锋芒的同时,又离不开社会,个体和社会之间存在着密不可分的关系。在《红字》这部小说里,故事开始海丝特无论在行动上还是在思想上都与清教社会发生着冲突,而后来她扶贫济穷,继续佩戴红字这个标志,清教徒开始敬佩她,她的声誉提高了。由此说明:个体为保持自己的个性,自觉或不自觉地会与社会发生冲突,但同时又自愿或不自愿地与社会达成了一定的妥协。冲突和妥协不断交织,社会和个体在这种矛盾中永不停止地进步。

Individualism has been a significant part of American character.However,the tradition of American individualism is a double-edged sword：individualism is revealed in sharpness;individual is inseparable from society at the same time.At the beginning of The Scarlet Letter,Hester is in absolute conflict with the Puritan community in her behaviors and thoughts;in the end,Hester does many good deeds to the Puritans resuming wearing the＂A＂so that Puritans begin to admire her and her reputation is improved.All of this tells us that individuals have some conflicts with society consciously or unconsciously in order to keep their own personalities,while they have some compromises voluntarily or involuntarily.Conflicts and compromises are intertwined and individual and society are on constant advancement.