Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Narrative Empathy in The Scarlet Letter

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2023 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 10 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2023

Authors : Chen Hui

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V10I2P111

How to Cite?

Chen Hui, "Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Narrative Empathy in The Scarlet Letter," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 10,  no. 2, pp. 87-93, 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V10I2P111

Abstract:

In order to better understand the research and analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s consideration of individual freedom and the Puritan law, this paper discusses the paradox of “Integration” and “Isolation” in The Scarlet Letter. This paper analyzes the main process of the characters’ empathy from delaying to awakening and then to remodeling, which reflects the social conflict between individuals’ free will and the Puritan law in 17th -century America. Therefore, Hawthorne’s criticism of the conservatism of the Puritan society can be accurately conveyed on the one hand, and the other hand, the study illustrates Hawthorne’s moderate reform position on the establishment of a benign Puritan community with “empathy” as the core, thus providing guidance for the contemporary society

Keywords:

Integration, Isolation, Narrative empathy, Nathaniel hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter.

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