Will Extreme Religious Belief Provide People with Happiness? —— On The Scarlet Letter文献综述

 2022-09-08 12:06:54

Will Extreme Religious Belief Provide People with Happiness?

——On The Scarlet Letter

Abstract:

With the development of social economy and human civilization, the status of religious belief seems to witness a subtle change in modern society. Some people advocate that people need religious belief to purify souls and gain consolation, while the other hold the viewpoint that religion would hinder social progress. Based on the appreciation of Nathaniel Hawthornersquo;s The Scarlet Letter and study of research findings of the status of religion home and abroad, this article focuses on extreme religious belief and argues that religious belief would not always be a spiritual pillar. Religious belief could give people inner tranquility and motivation. But if people believe in it too extremely, they might suffer from it. Also, the article explores another potential ending of The Scarlet Letter that if Dymmesdale and Hester could forgive themselves and get rid of the severe control of Puritanism, they would have a possibility to avoid the tragic ending.

Key Words: Religious Belief; Behavior; Happiness; Rationality.

  1. Literature Review

The Scarlet Letter is a 1850 work of fiction in a historic setting, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Set in 17-century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts, during the years 1642 to 1649, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an affair with a minister named Dymmesdale and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne explores themes of regalism,sin, and guilt. Many scholars have researched the religious elements in this work and come up with their own attitudes towards Puritanism in The Scarlet Letter and religions in real life.

Jian Gongyou (2008) pointed out that, Puritanism is not the religion that Nathaniel Hawthorne earnestly believes in, yet it makes a far-reaching influence on his literary creation. Puritanism is Hawthornersquo;s tool to understand human being and human society. The Scarlet Letter is a cautionary rhetoric which embraces Puritan style that he gives as a present to people. In this fiction, Hawthorne uses a Puritan sight to look upon Americarsquo;s economic take-off and the American dream which has just begun. He warns people that social development does not equal humanrsquo;s rebirth.

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