The time Hawthorne lived was just the Age of religious criticism. All kinds of literary and philosophical thoughts must have an influence on his creation. And these effects are inevitably reflected in his works. Among the analysis to this aspect, the academic circle also has differences. Since the publication of the scarlet letter, foreign critics have never stopped. People have discussed its content, structure, art and so on. From the perspective of modern psychology of Newton Arvin, Hawthorne analyzes the embodiment of Puritan ideology in his works. Sin is one aspect of Hawthorne's great concern, and he even inherits the Puritan ethic. Henry James Mace's “Hawthorne” is the classic literature of Hawthorne's criticism, and he has endured the test of history. The research focuses on two kinds of traditional literary studies, such as the formation of legendary American novels.
2.2 Domestic studies
The domestic studies on the scarlet letter are many. These studies are respectively from different aspects so that the ideas and significances of the scarlet letter are more abundant. The value and significance of the scarlet letter are constantly emerging. Domestic studies on the scarlet letter is mainly concentrated on the feminist studies, character image studies, prototype studies, narrative studies, literary and ethnic studies, psychological and so on.
The religious studies on The Scarlet Letter are few. For example, in Bing Touping “Hawthorne's Religious Sentiments Reflected in The Scarlet Letter”, it mainly focuses on the Puritan in the United States and research the relationship between puritanism and Hawthorne. In her paper, she just follows the footsteps of others and finds something that is overlooked. From Hawthorne's religious view, although there are many criticisms on the puritanism in his works, criticism is not equal to negation and subversion. Hawthorne always tells people in his works that people are born with sin, which view of humanity derives from Puritan. This kind of crime is not only reflected in action, but also in thinking. Hawthorne is more concerned about the hidden sin in the soul. Hawthorne thinks religion guides human to the right direction, promotes social progress, purifies the human mind, makes people control their evil thoughts, and help people finish their self-salvation. Puritan ideology causes a great effect on the colonial society and life, which also has had a profound influence on the political, religious, cultural and other aspects of American society.
3. The Religious Views of Hawthorne
3.1 Puritanism
“Influenced by his ancestors, social surroundings and his own personal experiences, Hawthorne inevitably has some puritanical traits” (Miao 69). He believes that everyone is born with original sin, which is just the doctrine of Calvinism. He advocates that we should make up for this sin through our confession and benevolence. Meanwhile, he also attends to value the characters by these doctrines in The Scarlet Letter. He praises the ethnics of the Puritanism, such as brave, independent, never giving up easily, and no submission to destiny and so on.
All these ethnics are also reflected on the Hester and other characters in the novel. On the other hand, he also believes that the wicked will get punishment in the end, which indicates he agrees with the Determinism in the Puritanism. So he can’t throw away the influence of Puritanism, which deeply affects him in his whole life. Meanwhile, the Puritan slaughters and repels the Pagan as well as oppresses human nature, which makes Hawthorne feel conflicted to the Puritanism. He felt confused to the Puritanism and doubt the doctrine of the Puritan. On the one hand, Hawthorne reject the Puritan and all kinds of constrains; On the other hand, he is affected by it all the time. So we can see many paradoxical opinions and complex characters in his novels, which is so apparent in The Scarlet Letter. 宗教思想对霍桑塑造《红字》主要人物的影响(2):http://www.chuibin.com/yingyu/lunwen_206642.html