Stigma In The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter is one of the classics in American and even world literature. Relevant literature reviews have covered every conceivable aspect while that of stigma in it is near to zero. Stigma is a concept thriving in social psychology referring to research on discreditable characteristics of individuals and discrimination concomitant such as labeling and stereotyping. The Scarlet Letter is named after the stigma symbol and the four main characters in it are all typical the stigmatized. This thesis will examine the stigma in The Scarlet Letter based on the stigma theory proposed by Erving Goffman and the theory of judgment of responsibility by Bernard Weiner aiming at a new interpretation of characters as well as a new understanding of theme via delving into sources and effects of the stigmatized characters with an expectation of contemplation of stigmatization phenomena in modern society.The thesis consists of an introduction, 3 major chapters and a conclusion.The introduction introduces Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter, combs through the status quo of the research on The Scarlet Letter at home and abroad, and states the topic basis, research significance and objectives as well as the application and development of the stigma theory.Chapter One firstly anatomizes the stigma of Hawthorne in view of the preface “The Custom-House” written to The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne’s inherent historical stigma entailed a lifelong impact on him. That was the reason why Hawthorne added a w to his family name “Hathorne”. And the stigmatized characters in The Scarlet Letter are closely bound up with the stigma of Hawthorne. Secondly, the chapter categorizes the stigmatized characters in Hawthorne’s works into dominant and recessive ones, and The Scarlet Letter is the epitome and culmination of the application of the stigmatized characters.Chapter Two concentrates on the main body of The Scarlet Letter and dissects diversified stigmas the characters bore, the responsibility they should claim for and different attitudes to their stigmas as well as methods of controlling stigma information for better understanding of the characters’ behaviors and destinies.Chapter Three elucidates the sources of the stigmatized characters respectively from the vantage point of culture and history as well as the author’s personal experiences. In addition, this chapter analyzes the effects of the stigmatized characters including the rhetorical effect and theme reinforced effect which reveals the theme from the perspective of stigma.The conclusion part sums up research results of the thesis. Born with stigma, Hawthorne possessed inherent sensitive cognition of stigma and he injected it into his works. Stigma, discernible stigma symbol in particular, was effective in breaking up the coherent picture of individuals and their virtues shone out by the method of stigmatizing before glorifying. The darkness and harshness of the Puritan society, where the stigmatized were stigmatized, were self-evident. With the delineating of the stigmatized characters, the author blared out a resounding warning, “Be true!” O nly being true can one acquire inner peace and regain respect, even though stigma is not obliterated. This is the solution to stigmatization phenomena in modern society provided by Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter.