您要找的是不是:
[病]猩红热
[病]猩红热
For its time, The Scarlet Letter was a daring and even subversive book.
《红字》在其问世的时代是一部反传统，甚至具有颠覆性的作品。
See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution for my sin?
你们看见没有？她就是红字，只不过能够受到喜爱，因此也具有千万倍的力量来报应我的罪孽！
But, in truth, Pearl was the one, as well as and only in consequence of that identity had Hester contrived so perfectly to represent the scarlet letter in her appearance.
然而，事实上，恰恰是珠儿集二者于一身；而且，也正因为有了这个同一性，海丝特才能如此完美地用孩子的外表率象征她的红字。
It was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!
孩子是另一种形式的红字，是被赋予了生命的红字！
The whole gang of sailors, likewise, observing the press of spectators, and learning the purport of the scarlet letter, came and thrust their sunburnt and desperado-looking faces into the ring.
那帮水手们也注意到了人群拥到了一处，并且弄明白了红字的涵义，便也凑近来，把让太阳晒得黑黑的亡命徒的面孔伸进了圈子。
You might have read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
你大概读过纳撒尼尔·霍桑的小说《红字》。
Had seven long years, under the torture of the scarlet letter, inflicted so much of misery, and wrought out no repentance?
难道在七年漫长的岁月中，在红字曲折磨下备受痛苦，还悟不出一些仟悔之意吗？
Most of the spectators testified to having seen, on the breast of the unhappy minister, a SCARLET LETTER--the very semblance of that worn by Hester Prynne--imprinted in the flesh.
许多在场的人断言，他们在那个不幸的牧师的胸前看到了一个嵌在肉里的红字，与海丝特·白兰所佩戴的十分相似。
Come along, Madam Hester, and show your scarlet letter in the market-place!
过来，海丝特太太，在这市场上亮亮你那鲜红的字母吧！
So speaking, she undid the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter, and, taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves.
她一边这样说着，一边解开别着红字的胸针，从胸前取下红字，远远地抛到枯叶之中。
This scarlet letter is his mark!
这个红字就是他的记号！
Author Nathaniel Hawthorne found inspiration in the White murder in writing The Scarlet Letter two decades later.
作家纳撒尼尔·霍桑也在怀特谋杀案中找到了灵感，并于二十年后创作出了小说《红字》。
Speak out the name! That, and thy repentance, may avail to take the scarlet letter off thy breast.
把那人的姓名说出来吧！那样，再加上你的悔改，将有助于从你胸前取下那红字。
"Hester Prynne," said he, fixing his naturally stern regard on the wearer of the scarlet letter, "there hath been much question concerning thee, of late.
“海丝特·白兰，”他说着，把生来严峻的目光盯住这戴红字的女人，“最近，关于你的事议论得不少。
"Look your last on the scarlet letter and its wearer!
“再最后看一眼这红字和佩戴红字的人吧！”
Behold, verily, there is the woman of the scarlet letter; and, of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side!
瞧，还真有个戴红字的女人；还且，一点不假，还有个象红字似的小东西在她身边跑着呢！
Pearl's inevitable tendency to hover about the enigma of the scarlet letter seemed an innate quality of her being.
珠儿一味纠缠着要弄清红字之谜，看来是她的一种内在的天性。
The woman of the scarlet letter in the market-place!
那位市场中佩戴红字的女人！
It was whispered, by those who peered after her, that the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark passage-way of the interior.
那些目光随着她身影窥视的人耳语着说，她胸前的红字在中内黑漆漆的通路上投下了一道血红的闪光。
But then- by a kind of necessity that always impelled this child to alloy whatever comfort she might chance to give with a throb of anguish- Pearl put up her mouth, and kissed the scarlet letter too!
可是，似乎有一种必要推动着这孩子，在她偶然给人的某种安慰中溶进一阵极度的苦恼，接着，珠儿抬起她的嘴唇，也把那红字亲吻了一下。 “这可不好！”
Whether moved only by her ordinary freakishness, or because an evil spirit prompted her, she put up her small forefinger, and touched the scarlet letter.
不知孩于和往常一样想要调皮，还是受到一个邪恶的精灵的指使，她举起她小小的食指，去摸那红字。
Here, seen only by his eyes, the scarlet letter need not burn into the bosom of the fallen woman!
在这里，红字只有他一个人的眼睛能够看见，也就不必烧进那堕落的女人的胸膛中去了！
Her own dress was of the coarsest materials and the most sombre hue; with only that one ornament- the scarlet letter- which it was her doom to wear.
她自己的衣裙用的是最祖糙的料子和最晦暗的颜色，上面只有一件饰物，就是那红字——那是她注定非戴不可的。
Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom!
你是有幸的，海丝特，因为你能把红字公开地戴在胸前！
The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread.
红字则是她进入其他妇女不敢涉足的禁区的通行证。
He made a step nigher, and discovered the scarlet letter.
他向前迈了一步，发现了红字。
With sudden and desperate tenderness, she threw her arms around him, and pressed his head against her bosom; little caring though his cheek rested on the scarlet letter.
她怀着突然和绝望的柔情，猛地伸出两臂搂住了他，并且把他的头靠在她胸前；她没有顾及这样一来，他的面颊恰好贴在那红字上。
But then- by a kind of necessity that always impelled this child to alloy whatever comfort she might chance to give with a throb of anguish- Pearl put up her mouth, and kissed the scarlet letter too!
可是，似乎有一种必要推动着这孩子，在她偶然给人的某种安慰中溶进一阵极度的苦恼，接着，珠儿抬起她的嘴唇，也把那红字亲吻了一下。
But then- by a kind of necessity that always impelled this child to alloy whatever comfort she might chance to give with a throb of anguish- Pearl put up her mouth, and kissed the scarlet letter too!
可是，似乎有一种必要推动着这孩子，在她偶然给人的某种安慰中溶进一阵极度的苦恼，接着，珠儿抬起她的嘴唇，也把那红字亲吻了一下。
$firstVoiceSent
- 来自原声例句
请问您想要如何调整此模块？
感谢您的反馈，我们会尽快进行适当修改！
请问您想要如何调整此模块？
感谢您的反馈，我们会尽快进行适当修改！　　摘要 女性视角下的《红字》是这样的：一个多解的题目、一个反抗的女性、一个懦弱而又反抗的男人和一个良心发现的男人，以及一" />
免费阅读期刊
论文发表、论文指导
周一至周五
9：00&22：00
女性视角下的《红字》
2013年8期目录
&&&&&&本期共收录文章20篇
　　摘要 女性视角下的《红字》是这样的：一个多解的题目、一个反抗的女性、一个懦弱而又反抗的男人和一个良心发现的男人，以及一个善恶的标准、一个无辜的孩子。 中国论文网 /5/view-5564395.htm　　关键词：多解 反抗 懦弱 标准 无辜 　　中图分类号：I106.4 文献标识码：A 　　《红字》是美国作家纳撒尼尔?霍桑的小说作品。它是一部经典的浪漫主义小说，经典的文学作品往往都意蕴丰富。经验告诉我们：研究者从不同的角度审视任意一部经典的作品，都会有新的发现，都会有新的感悟，小说《红字》当然也不会例外。 　　不同的文学研究者曾经从不同的角度研究《红字》：有的人从对比的角度对它进行研究；有的文学研究者对它的主题进行再探究；亦有研究者对这部浪漫主义作品的人物性格特征及其主题内容进行再挖掘……纵观前人的研究，唯独缺少从女性的视角重新审视这部表现伟大女性婚姻问题的小说。 　　一 《红字》简析 　　这部经典的婚姻小说是一部浪漫主义的爱情悲剧。作者在本部作品中主要讲述了一个悲剧故事：女主人公海丝特?白兰与老年医生齐灵渥斯的婚姻是没有爱情的婚姻，但她与牧师丁梅斯代尔虽然有爱情但没有世人公认的婚姻。最后主人公――伟大的女性海丝特?白兰被当众处罚，佩戴红色的A字示众，但她敢做敢为，独自一人承担因追求幸福而遭受到的屈辱，始终也没有说出女儿珠儿的生父――牧师丁梅斯代尔。 　　这部小说主要涉及到以下几个人物：女主人公海丝特?白兰；海丝特的法定丈夫老年医生齐灵渥斯；和女主人公有爱情没有法定婚姻的牧师丁梅斯代尔以及他们的孩子珠儿。 　　在女性的视角下，我们可以这样简单地概括这几个人物的性格特征： 　　一个反抗的女性――海丝特?白兰；一个良心发现的老年医生齐灵渥斯；一个懦弱的牧师丁梅斯代尔；一个无辜的女孩珠儿。 　　二 女性视角下的《红字》 　　从女性的视角重新解读浪漫主义悲剧作品《红字》，我们能够有哪些新的发现、新的感悟呢？ 　　1 一个多解的题目：《红字》 　　所有的读者都知道，题目《红字》中的“红字”是指女主人公海丝特?白兰勇敢地追求爱情婚姻生下她与牧师丁梅斯代尔的女儿后，因遭受惩罚而佩戴的象征通奸标志的红色的A字（通奸，adultery）。1658年普利茅斯当局规定凡是犯有奸淫罪者必须“当于袖上或背部佩戴布制AD两个大写字母，本政府治下若发现未佩戴此二字母者意即给予逮捕并施以鞭打”。 　　但是，对于这个象征通奸标志的红红的字母“A”，从女性的视角下，我们还可以赋予它以下的含义： 　　首先，这个红红的“A”是英语单词“admirable”的首字母。在英语里，“admirable”是“尊敬”、是“令人敬佩”的意思。理由是：小说的女主人公海丝特?白兰在没有爱情的情况下同老医生灵渥斯结婚，婚后她勇敢地追求自己的幸福，她和牧师丁梅斯代尔重新品味宝贵的爱情这种行为令与其生活在同时代的人感到敬佩；她在事后独自一个人承担追求幸福而遭受的惩罚的行为令人敬佩。小说里另外一个佩戴红字“A”的男性――牧师丁梅斯代尔，他虽然性格懦弱，最终也没有公开承认自己的行为，但他这种默默地反抗，把红字“A”印在自己胸前内心的反抗行为，令人敬佩。当然了，如果他能把内心的反抗表现在自己的行动上，展现在公众的面前，那他就会和小说的女主人公海丝特?白兰一样更受读者的敬佩。 　　其次，这个红字“A”还是“advance”的首字母。这个单词译成中文有两个意思：先行的、提出。前者是形容词，后者是动词。这也就是说，作者通过题目中的红字“A”，要告诉给他的读者两个内容：一个是说小说的女主人公海丝特?白兰，在当时是追求爱情婚姻的先行者，她的所作所为在当时的社会是一个提前的行为，还不能为广大的世人所认可，因而她要遭受佩戴红字“A”的惩罚；另一方面是说小说的女主人公海丝特?白兰的所作所为给当时生活在宗教社会里的人们提出了妇女如何追求幸福婚姻的现实问题。 　　再次，这个红字“A”是“angel”的首字母，这个单词的汉译是“天使”。而我们对“天使”理解应该是这样的：小说的主人公海丝特?白兰通过自己追求幸福生活的言行，在世人面前做着天使一样的工作，面向世人宣传着这样的信息：一个女人，一个生活在宗教社会里的女人应该勇敢地追求自己的幸福婚姻生活，不要再独守没有爱情的婚姻。 　　最后，即使我们读者不考虑这红色的“A”是adultery（通奸）、admirable（尊敬、令人敬佩）还是advance（先行、提出的）、angel（天使），单单就这个字的颜色――红，就足以让读者对它的含义揣摩不已：小说主人公海丝特?白兰的行为是对当时社会宗教教规的警告，还是对当时那些生活在宗教教规重压下，默默地生活在无爱情的婚姻中毫无觉醒意识妇女们的提醒？ 　　小说出版后，它的文本是不变的，但是读者对它的解读却在不断地深入，不断地完善，所以，在当我们今天用女性视角解读《红字》的时候，这部小说的题目应该是一个多解的题目。 　　2 一个反抗的女性：海丝特?白兰 　　小说的主人公海丝特?白兰是一个反抗的女性，一个彻底的反抗主义者。海丝特?白兰的反抗不仅表现在自己的言行上，还表现在她自己的精神上。从外到内，从身体到精神，她方方面面都表现出反抗的精神。因为这种彻底的反抗使她受到了读者的尊敬，并使这部小说的影响力达到了极致。 　　小说的主人公海丝特?白兰的反抗首先表现在她的语言上： 　　“女人，你违背上天的仁慈，可不要超过限度！”威尔逊牧师先生更加严厉地嚷道。“你那小小的婴儿都用她那天赐的声音，来附和并肯定你所听到的规劝了。把那人的姓名说出来吧！那样，再加上你的悔改，将有助于从你胸前取下那红字。”“我永远不会说的！”海丝特?白兰回答说，她的眼睛没有去看威尔逊先生，而是凝视着那年轻牧师的深沉而忧郁的眼睛。“这红字烙得太深了。你是取不下来的。但愿我能在忍受我的痛苦的同时，也忍受住他的痛苦！”
　　当时社会上的人，不论是牧师还是深受其害的妇女，他们都认为这个红红的“A”是耻辱的象征，但是他们谁也不能想到海丝特?白兰的语言是这样的坚决：“这红字烙得太深了。你是取不下来的。但愿我能在忍受我的痛苦的同时，也忍受住他的痛苦！”虽然这样的语言不能为世人所理解，但这样的语言却让读者看到小说主人公海丝特?白兰反抗的坚决。 　　其次，小说的主人公海丝特?白兰的反抗表现在她的行动上。狱吏提审女主人公海丝特?白兰时，小说是这样描写她的反抗行为的： 　　到了牢门口，她用了一个颇能说明她个性的力量和天生的尊严的动作，推开狱吏，象是出于她自主的意志一般走进露天地。 　　这个动作说明海丝特?白兰对于自己的反抗行为是认识深刻的，文中对此是这样描写的： 　　她很快就醒悟过来了，用她的耻辱的一个标记来掩盖另一个标记是无济于事的，于是，索性用一条胳膊架着孩子，她虽然面孔红得发烧，却露出高傲的微笑，用毫无愧色的目光环视着她的同镇居民和街坊邻里。她的裙袍的前胸上露出了一个用红色细布做就、周围用金丝线精心绣成奇巧花边的一个字母！这个字母制作别致，体现了丰富而华美的匠心，佩在衣服上构成尽美尽善的装饰，而她的衣服把她那年月的情趣衬托得恰到好处，只是其艳丽程度大大超出了殖民地俭朴标准的规定。 　　最后，小说的主人公海丝特?白兰的反抗还表现在她的精神上。俗话说言为心声，她的语言就是她精神的体现，再辅以其坚决果敢的行为来诠释这种自己反抗的心声，那么读者理解到的就是主人公海丝特?白兰反抗的精神。 　　一个具有反抗精神、又用自己的语言和行动来诠释这种精神的人，就是一个彻底的反抗主义者。 　　3 一个懦弱而反抗的男人――丁梅斯代尔 　　丁梅斯代尔作为牧师，他受教规的影响颇深，这教规越来越深的影响使他的懦弱战胜了自身的反抗，以至于他当初不敢面对海丝特?白兰公开承认既有的事实，但他被懦弱淹没的反抗终于被海丝特?白兰的坚强唤醒，在即将离开这个世界前，他当着众人的面，在刑台上和女主人公走到了一起，在众人面前坦言了自己的所作所为，以另外一个“红字”显示出了自己的反抗： 　　“她不肯说！”丁梅斯代尔先生嗫嚅着……“一个女人的心胸是多么坚强和宽阔啊！她不肯说！” 　　当初的时候，丁梅斯代尔是这样说的，后来他又是用这样果敢的行动来反抗的： 　　“海丝特?白兰，”他以令人撕心裂肺的真诚呼叫道……海丝特，来吧！扶我登上这座刑台吧！” 　　“而上帝是仁慈的！上帝已经在我眼前表明了他的意愿，我现在就照着去做。海丝特?白兰，我已经是个垂死的人了。那就让我赶紧承担起我的耻辱吧！” 　　由此可见，牧师丁梅斯代尔是一个懦弱而反抗的男人。 　　4 一个良心发现的男人：齐灵渥斯 　　齐灵渥斯是一个特殊的人，他的特殊表现在，他对牧师丁梅斯代尔的报复过程中，终于认识到没有爱情的婚姻是对别人的戕害；而他在对海丝特?白兰报复过程中，终于有了良心发现： 　　“疯子，稳住！你要干什么？”他小声说。“挥开那女人！甩开这孩子！一切都会好的！不要玷污你的名声，不光彩地毁掉自己！我还能拯救你！你愿意给你神圣的职业蒙受耻辱吗？” 　　这是齐灵渥斯为了实施自己的报复，对牧师丁梅斯代尔的一番威胁和利诱。但是后来，随着事情的发展，他终于明白了自己的错误，有了良心的发现，小说这样写道： 　　不出一年，老罗杰?齐灵渥斯便死了；根据他的最后意愿和遗嘱，贝灵汉总督和威尔逊牧师先生是其执行人，他把一笔数目可观的遗产，包括在此地和在英国的，都留给了海丝特?白兰的女儿，小珠儿。 　　他把自己的巨额遗产留给了海丝特?白兰和牧师丁梅斯代尔的女儿――珠儿的事实，这不仅能够说明他在为自己的报复行为进行忏悔，而且也说明他有了良心的发现，并且自己用实际行动来证明自己的良心发现。 　　5 一个善恶的标准：良心发现 　　作者由于自己的经历和生活所限，认为人性本恶。人性中的这种“恶”是社会上一切事物发生问题的根本原因。换句话说，人性中固有的“恶”是社会生活中诸多问题的总根源。 　　人性本恶，他把抽象的恶当作是社会生活问题的根源。与“恶”相对的是“善”。在小说中，作者把它和“良心发现”作为同义语。在现实的生活中如果一个人有了良心发现，他所做的事情就是善事，反之，他所做的事情就是恶。小说中最能说明这个问题的人物是医生齐灵渥斯。 　　老医生齐灵渥斯知道自己的妻子海丝特?白兰背着自己与别人有了一女儿――珠儿后，他在监狱里为她治病时这样说道：“让你解除身体的危害――以便让这灼热的耻辱可以继续烧烫你的胸膛，难道我还有什么更高明的作法吗？”可以看出，在他的心中，治病不是善的行为，而作为自己报复海丝特?白兰的一种行为，之所以不是“善”的行为，因为他还没有良心发现――造成这个局面的原因是他自己。但是，当小说的结尾，他在自己的报复过程中渐渐醒悟，终于有了良心发现，这时候，他才做出“善”的举动：把自己的巨额财产留给无辜的小女孩――珠儿。 　　所以说，“善”与“恶”的区分标准就是：良心发现。 　　6 一个无辜的孩子：珠儿 　　珠儿是海丝特?白兰与丁梅斯代尔的爱情的象征，但她却承受着自己父母的抗争给自己带来的麻烦和苦恼。这些苦恼不仅来自世人对她的质疑，而且也来自亲人因为抗争而遭遇到的不幸。特别是后者，给珠儿的生活造成很大的影响。如，小说的结尾这样写道： 　　珠儿不但活在世上，而且结了婚，生活很幸福，一直惦记着她母亲，要是她孤凄的母亲能够给接到她家里，她将无比高兴。 　　除了自己的父亲，母亲也是她一生的牵挂。母亲能否到自己的家里来，这事关她的高兴与否…… 　　总之，一部经典的作品，无论你从哪个角度来审视，你都会有新的发同，新的感悟。 　　参考文献： 　　[1] 袁晓伟、张白桦：《一部〈红字〉，多种象征》，《兰州教育学院学报》，2013年第3期。 　　[2] 陈志静：《自然?爱?心灵归宿――霍桑〈红字〉浅析》，《芒种》，2013年第4期。 　　[3] 王丽丽：《〈红字〉象征意义解读》，《作家》（下半月），2012年第3期。 　　作者简介：李婷雯，女，1981―，四川成都人，硕士，讲师，研究方向：英美文化，工作单位：中国民航飞行学院空中乘务学院。
转载请注明来源。原文地址：
【xzbu】郑重声明：本网站资源、信息来源于网络，完全免费共享，仅供学习和研究使用，版权和著作权归原作者所有，如有不愿意被转载的情况，请通知我们删除已转载的信息。
xzbu发布此信息目的在于传播更多信息，与本网站立场无关。xzbu不保证该信息（包括但不限于文字、数据及图表）准确性、真实性、完整性等。扫二维码下载作业帮
1.75亿学生的选择
下载作业帮安装包
扫二维码下载作业帮
1.75亿学生的选择
英语翻译时间是最好的证明,渐渐地海丝特胸前所佩戴的红色字母“ A”在众人的心中有了另一番含义：“ 没有人能够像她那样乐善 好施 ,那样喜欢接济贫困者 “； “ 那刺绣 的红字闪射出非凡的光芒,给人以慰藉 .在别的地方他是罪恶的标志,但在病房里却成为蜡烛 .” 虽然还有那些“ 执着的清教徒 ” 认为海丝特的红字是耻辱的象征 .但是更多善良的人们拒绝再用原来的意思解释“ A“,他们说那个字的意思应该解释为 “ 能干” ( a b l e ) 的意思 .她以自己的美德赢得了人们的尊重和敬爱,她无尽的同情心和勇于献身的精神产生了巨大的力量,使她成为力量的源头,源源不断地涌出各式的救助 .在众人眼,红字“ A” 反而具有了天使的内涵—纯洁、美丽、善良、博爱.红字 “ A散发着迷人而高贵的芬芳,仿佛在时刻赞美着海丝特热情 、善良、 坚强 、勇敢的天性 .这时,红字“ A”就象征着天使 An g e l .随着剧情的发展,海斯特逐步走向觉醒和成熟,在心底顽强地与清教统治相对抗,因而又有了坚韧不拔的女斗士 ( Ama z o n ) 的意义.从最开始时,她总是高昂着头,她能接受她的处罚.她接受了自己的罪恶并接受了自己.海斯特不再懦弱,不再被动,开始有意向 Roge Ch i l l i n g wo r t h挑战 .这是她性格中相当重要的转移 .因为在以前,她总是害怕他会对她做什么.她意识到自己必须尽快行动,对她而言这是个巨大的转变.她这样似乎像个女英 雄,敢于反抗,敢于斗争.
尼玛大牙排祷2
扫二维码下载作业帮
1.75亿学生的选择
Time is the the best proof,gradually Hester chest wearing red letter "A" in the hearts of the crowd with another round of meaning:"No one can like her charity,so like aid to the poor";that the embroidered letter flashed extraordinary light,to give people comfort.elsewhere is a sign of evil,but in the ward actually become a candle."Although there are those persistent Puritan Hester's Scarlet Letter isa symbol of shame.But more kind-hearted people refused to re-use the original meaning interpretation of "A",they say that the meaning of the word should be interpreted as meaning of "able".The scarlet letter "A"exudes charming and noble fragrance,as if in praise to Hester's,enthusiastic,kind,strong,brave nature.At this time,the scarlet letter "A" is a symbol of the angel Angle.With the development of the plot,Hyster gradually moving towards awakening and mature,tenacious in her heart against the Puritan rule,and thus there is a significance of tenacity Amazon .From the very beginning,she always hold his head high,she is able to accept her punishment.She accepted her sins and accept herself .Hyster is no longer weak,no longer passive and start to challenge Roge Chillingworth intentionly .This is quite a important change in her character .Because in the past,she is always afraid of what he would do to her.She realized that he must act quickly,this is a big change for her.She seems like a heroine,dare to resist,dare to struggle.
为您推荐：
其他类似问题
扫描下载二维码小说精选：红字－相认
用圣才电子书APP或微信扫一扫，在手机上阅读本文，也可分享给你的朋友。
　　Chapter 03　THE RECOGNITION
　　FROM this intense consciousness of being the object of severe and universal observation， the wearer of the scarlet letter was at length relieved， by discerning， on the outskirts of the crowd， a figure which irresistibly took possession of her thoughts． An Indian， in his native garb， was standing there； but the red men were not so infrequent visitors of the English settlements， that one of them would have attracted any notice from Hester Prynne， at such a time； much less would he have excluded all other objects and ideas from her mind． By the Indian's side， and evidently sustaining a companionship with him， stood a white man， clad in a strange disarray of civilised and savage costume．
　　He was small in stature， with a furrowed visage， which， as yet， could hardly be termed aged． There was a remarkable intelligence in his features， as of a person who had so cultivated his mental part that it could not fail to mould the physical to itself， and become manifest by unmistakable tokens． Although， by a seemingly careless arrangement of his heterogeneous garb， he had endeavoured to conceal or abate the peculiarity， it was sufficiently evident to Hester Prynne， that one of this man's shoulders rose higher than the other． Again， at the first instant of perceiving that thin visage， and the slight deformity of the figure， she pressed her infant to her bosom with so convulsive a force that the poor babe uttered another cry of pain． But the mother did not seem to hear it．
　　At his arrival in the market－place， and some time before she saw him， the stranger had bent his eyes on Hester Prynne． It was carelessly， at first， like a man chiefly accustomed to look inward， and to whom external matters are of little value and import， unless they bear relation to something within his mind． Very soon， however， his look became keen and penetrative． A writhing horror twisted itself across his features， like a snake gliding swiftly over them， and making one little pause， with all its wreathed intervolutions， in open sight． His face darkened with some powerful emotion， which， nevertheless， he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will， that， save at a single moment， its expression might have passed for calmness． After a brief space， the convulsion grew almost imperceptible， and finally subsided into the depths of his nature． When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own， and saw that she appeared to recognise him， he slowly and calmly raised his finger， made a gesture with it in the air， and laid it on his lips．
　　Then， touching the shoulder of a townsman who stood next to him， he addressed him， in a formal and courteous manner．
　　&I pray you， good sir，& said he， &who is this woman?－ and wherefore is she here set up to public shame?&
　　&You must needs be a stranger in this region， friend，& answered the townsman， looking curiously at the questioner and his savage companion， &else you would surely have heard of Mistress Hester Prynne， and her evil doings． She hath raised a great scandal， I promise you， in godly Master Dimmesdale's church．&
　　&You say truly，& replied the other． &I am a stranger， and have been a wanderer， sorely against my will． I have met with grievous mishaps by sea and land， and have been long held in bonds among the heathen folk， to the southward； and am now brought hither by this Indian， to be redeemed out of my captivity． Will it please you， therefore， to tell me of Hester Prynne's－ have I her name rightly?－ of this woman's offences， and what has brought her to yonder scaffold?&
　　&Truly， friend； and methinks it must gladden your heart， after your troubles and sojourn in the wilderness，& said the townsman， &to find yourself， at length， in a land where iniquity is searched out， and punished in the sight of rulers and people； as here in our godly New England． Yonder woman， sir， you must know， was the wife of a certain learned man， English by birth， but who had long dwelt in Amsterdam， whence， some good time agone， he was minded to cross over and cast in his lot with us of the Massachusetts． To this purpose， he sent his wife before him， remaining himself to look after some necessary affairs． Marry， good sir， in some two years， or less， that the woman has been a dweller here in Boston， no tidings have come of this learned gentleman， Master Prynne； and his young wife， look you， being left to her own misguidance－&
　　&Ah！－ aha！－ I conceive you，& said the stranger， with a bitter smile． &So learned a man as you speak of should have learned this， too， in his books． And who， by your favour， sir， may be the father of yonder babe－ it is some three or four months old， I should judge－ which Mistress Prynne is holding in her arms?&
　　&Of a truth， friend， that matter remaineth a riddle； and the Daniel who shall expound it is yet a－wanting，& answered the townsman． &Madam Hester absolutely refuseth to speak， and the magistrates have laid their heads together in vain． Peradventure the guilty one stands looking on at this sad spectacle， unknown of man， and forgetting that God sees him．&
　　&The learned man，& observed the stranger， with another smile， &should come himself， to look into the mystery．&
　　&It behooves him well， if he be still in life，& responded the townsman． &Now， good sir， our Massachusetts magistracy， bethinking themselves that this woman is youthful and fair， and doubtless was strongly tempted to her fall－ and that， moreover， as is most likely， her husband may be at the bottom of the sea－ they have not been bold to put in force the extremity of our righteous law against her． The penalty thereof is death． But in their great mercy and tenderness of heart， they have doomed Mistress Prynne to stand only a space of three hours on the platform of the pillory， and then and thereafter， for the remainder of her natural life， to wear a mark of shame upon her bosom．&
　　&A wise sentence！& remarked the stranger， gravely bowing his head． &Thus she will be a living sermon against sin， until the ignominious letter be engraved upon her tombstone． It irks me， nevertheless， that the partner of her iniquity should not， at least， stand on the scaffold by her side． But he will be known！－ he will be known！－ he will be known！&
　　He bowed courteously to the communicative townsman， and， whispering a few words to his Indian attendant， they both made their way through the crowd．
　　While this passed， Hester Prynne had been standing on her pedestal， still with a fixed gaze towards the stranger； so fixed a gaze that， at moments of intense absorption， all other objects in the visible world seemed to vanish， leaving only him and her． Such an interview， perhaps， would have been more terrible than even to meet him as she now did， with the hot， mid－day sun burning down upon her face， and lighting up its shame； with the scarlet token of infamy on her breast； with the sin－born infant in her arms； with a whole people， drawn forth as to a festival， staring at the features that should have been seen only in the quiet gleam of the fireside， in the happy shadow of a home， or beneath a matronly veil， at church． Dreadful as it was， she was conscious of a shelter in the presence of these thousand witnesses． It was better to stand thus， with so many betwixt him and her， than to greet him， face to face， they two alone． She fled for refuge， as it were， to the public exposure， and dreaded the moment when its protection should be withdrawn from her． Involved in these thoughts， she scarcely heard a voice behind her， until it had repeated her name more than once， in a loud and solemn tone， audible to the whole multitude．
　　&Hearken unto me， Hester Prynne！& said the voice．
　　It has already been noticed， that directly over the platform on which Hester Prynne stood was a kind of balcony， or open gallery， appended to the meeting－house． It was the place whence proclamations were wont to be made， amidst an assemblage of the magistracy， with all the ceremonial that attended such public observances in those days． Here， to witness the scene which we are describing， sat Governor Bellingham himself， with four sergeants about his chair， bearing halberds， as a guard of honour． He wore a dark feather in his hat， a border of embroidery on his cloak， and a black velvet tunic beneath； a gentleman advanced in years， with a hard experience written in his wrinkles． He was not ill fitted to be the head and representative of a community， which owed its origin and progress， and its present state of development， not to the impulses of youth， but to the stern and tempered energies of manhood， and the sombre sagacity of age； accomplishing so much， precisely because it imagined and hoped so little． The other eminent characters， by whom the chief ruler was surrounded， were distinguished by a dignity of mien， belonging to a period when the forms of authority were felt to possess the sacredness of Divine institutions． They were， doubtless， good men， just， and sage． But， out of the whole human family， it would not have been easy to select the same number of wise and virtuous persons， who should be less capable of sitting in judgment on an erring woman's heart， and disentangling its mesh of good and evil， than the sages of rigid aspect towards whom Hester Prynne now turned her face． She seemed conscious， indeed， that whatever sympathy she might expect， lay in the larger and warmer heart of the multitude； for， as she lifted her eyes towards the balcony， the unhappy woman grew pale and trembled．
　　The voice which had called her attention was that of the reverend and famous John Wilson， the eldest clergyman of Boston， a great scholar， like most of his contemporaries in the profession， and withal a man of kind and genial spirit． This last attribute， however， had been less carefully developed than his intellectual gifts， and was， in truth， rather a matter of shame than self－congratulation with him． There he stood， with a border of grizzled locks beneath his skull－cap； while his grey eyes， accustomed to the shaded light of his study， were winking， like those of Hester's infant， in the unadulterated sunshine． He looked like the darkly engraved portraits which we see prefixed to old volumes of sermons； and had no more right than one of those portraits would have， to step forth， as he now did， and meddle with a question of human guilt， passion， and anguish．
　　&Hester Prynne，& said the clergyman， &I have striven with my young brother here， under whose preaching of the Word you have been privileged to sit&－ here Mr． Wilson laid his hand on the shoulder of a pale young man beside him－ &I have sought， I say， to persuade this godly youth， that he should deal with you， here in the face of Heaven， and before these wise and upright rulers， and in hearing of all the people， as touching the vileness and blackness of your sin． Knowing your natural temper better than I， he could the better judge what arguments to use， whether of tenderness or terror， such as might prevail over your hardness and obstinacy； insomuch that you should no longer hide the name of him who tempted you to this grievous fall． But he opposes to me （with a young man's over－softness， albeit wise beyond his years） that it were wronging the very nature of woman to force her to lay open her heart's secrets in such broad daylight， and in presence of so great a multitude． Truly， as I sought to convince him， the shame lay in the commission of the sin， and not in the showing of it forth． What say you to it， once again， brother Dimmesdale！ Must it be thou， or I， that shall deal with this poor sinner's soul?&
　　There was a murmur among the dignified and reverend occupants of the balcony； and Governor Bellingham gave expression to its purport， speaking in an authoritative voice， although tempered with respect towards the youthful clergyman whom he addressed．
　　&Good Master Dimmesdale，& said he， &the responsibility of this woman's soul lies greatly with you． It behooves you， therefore， to exhort her to repentance， and to confession， as a proof and consequence thereof．&
　　The directness of this appeal drew the eyes of the whole crowd upon the Reverend Mr． Dimmesdale； a young clergyman， who had come from one of the great English universities， bringing all the learning of the age into our wild forest－land． His eloquence and religious fervour had already given the earnest of high eminence in his profession． He was a person of very striking aspect， with a white， lofty， and impending brow， large， brown， melancholy eyes， and a mouth which， unless when he forcibly compressed it， was apt to be tremulous， expressing both nervous sensibility and a vast power of self－restraint． Notwithstanding his high native gifts and scholar－like attainments， there was an air about this young minister－ an apprehensive， a startled， a half－frightened look－ as of a being who felt himself quite astray and at a loss in the pathway of human existence， and could only be at ease in some seclusion of his own． Therefore， so far as his duties would permit， he trod in the shadowy bypaths， and thus kept himself simple and childlike； coming forth， when occasion was， with a freshness， and fragrance， and dewy purity of thought， which， as many people said， affected them like the speech of an angel．
　　Such was the young man whom the Reverend Mr． Wilson and the Governor had introduced so openly to the public notice， bidding him speak， in the hearing of all men， to that mystery of a woman's soul， so sacred even in its pollution． The trying nature of his position drove the blood from his cheek， and made his lips tremulous．
　　&Speak to the woman， my brother，& said Mr． Wilson． &It is of moment to her soul， and therefore， as the worshipful Governor says， momentous to thine own， in whose charge hers is． Exhort her to confess the truth！&
　　The Reverend Mr． Dimmesdale bent his head， in silent prayer， as it seemed， and then came forward．
　　&Hester Prynne，& said he， leaning over the balcony， and looking down steadfastly into her eyes， &thou hearest what this good man says， and seest the accountability under which I labour． If thou feelest it to be for thy soul's peace， and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation， I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow－sinner and fellow－sufferer！ Be not silent from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him； for believe me， Hester， though he were to step down from a high place， and stand there beside thee， on thy pedestal of shame， yet better were it so， than to hide a guilty heart through life． What can thy silence do for him， except it tempt him－ yea， compel him， as it were－ to add hypocrisy to sin? Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy， that thereby thou mayest work out an open triumph over the evil within thee， and the sorrow without． Take heed how thou deniest to him－who， perchance， hath not the courage to grasp it for himself－ the bitter， but wholesome， cup that is now presented to thy lips！&
　　The young pastor's voice was tremulously sweet， rich， deep， and broken． The feeling that it so evidently manifested， rather than the direct purport of the words， caused it to vibrate within all hearts， and brought the listeners into one accord of sympathy． Even the poor baby， at Hester's bosom， was affected by the same influence； for it directed its hitherto vacant gaze towards Mr． Dimmesdale， and held up its little arms， with a half－pleased， half－plaintive murmur． So powerful seemed the minister's appeal， that the people could not believe but that Hester Prynne would speak out the guilty name； or else that the guilty one himself， in whatever high or lowly place he stood， would be drawn forth by an inward and inevitable necessity， and compelled to ascend the scaffold．
　　Hester shook her head．
　　&Woman， transgress not beyond the limits of Heaven's mercy！& cried the Reverend Mr． Wilson， more harshly than before． &That little babe hath been gifted with a voice， to second and confirm the counsel which thou hast heard． Speak out the name！ That， and thy repentance， may avail to take the scarlet letter off thy breast．&
　　&Never！& replied Hester Prynne， looking， not at Mr． Wilson， but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman． &It is too deeply branded． Ye cannot take it off． And would that I might endure his agony， as well as mine！&
　　&Speak， woman！& said another voice， coldly and sternly， proceeding from the crowd about the scaffold． &Speak； and give your child a father！&
　　&I will not speak！& answered Hester， turning pale as death， but responding to this voice， which she too surely recognized． &And my child must seek a heavenly Father； she shall never know an earthly one！&
　　&She will not speak！& murmured Mr． Dimmesdale， who， leaning over the balcony， with his hand upon his heart， had awaited the result of his appeal． He now drew back， with a long respiration． &Wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart！ She will not speak！&
　　Discerning the impractible state of the poor culprit's mind， the elder clergyman， who had carefully prepared himself for the occasion， addressed to the multitude a discourse on sin， in all its branches， but with continual reference to the ignominious letter． So forcibly did he dwell upon this symbol， for the hour or more during which his periods were rolling over the people's heads， that it assumed new terrors in their imagination， and seemed to derive its scarlet hue from the flames of the infernal pit． Hester Prynne， meanwhile， kept her place upon the pedestal of shame， with glazed eyes， and an air of weary indifference． She had borne， that morning， all that nature could endure； and as her temperament was not of the order that escapes from too intense suffering by a swoon， her spirit could only shelter itself beneath a stony crust of insensibility， while the faculties of animal life remained entire． In this state， the voice of the preacher thundered remorselessly， but unavailingly， upon her ears． The infant， during the latter portion of her rdeal， pierced the air with its wailings and screams； she strove to hush it， mechanically， but seemed scarcely to sympathise with its trouble． With the same hard demeanour， she was led back to prison， and vanished from the public gaze within its iron－clamped portal． It was whispered， by those who peered after her， that the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark passage－way of the interior．
　　这个身佩红字的人终于从充当众目严历注视的对象的强烈意识中解脱出来，因为她此时注意到人群的外围站着一个身影，那个人立刻不可遏止地占据了她的头脑。一个身着土著装束的印第安人正站在那里，但在这块英国殖民地中，红种人并非鲜见，此时有这么一个人站在那儿，不会引起海丝特&白兰的任何注意，更不会把一切其它形象和思绪一概从她的头脑中排挤出去。在那个印第安人的身边，站着一个身上混穿着文明与野蛮服装的白种人，无疑是那印第安人的同伴。
　　他身材矮小，满脆皱纹，不过还很难说年事已高。他一望可知是个智慧出众的人，似乎智力上的高度发展不可能不引起形体上的变化，从而在外表上具备了显著的特征。尽管他似乎是漫不经心地随便穿了件土人的衣服，其实是要遮掩或减少身体的怪异之处，但海丝特&白兰仍一眼便看出那个人的两肩并不一般高。她一看到了那人瘦削、多皱的面孔和稍稍变形的躯体，便不由自主地再一次把婴儿紧楼在胸前，直弄得那可怜的孩子义疼得哭出了声。但作母亲的好象对此听而不闻。
　　在那个不速之客来到市场，海丝特&白兰还没看到他之前，他的目光早已直勾勾地盯上了她。起初，他的目光只是随随便便的，象是一个习惯于洞察他人内心的人，除非外表上的什么东西与内心有关，否则外观便既无价值又不重要。然而，他的目光很快就变得犀利而明察秋毫了。他的面孔上掠过一阵痛苦的恐怖，象是一条蛇在上面迅速蜿蜒，因稍停片刻，而使那盘踞的形体清晰可见。他的脸色由于某种强有力的内心冲动而变得阴暗，不过他人刻用一种意志力控制住，使这种脸色稍纵即逝，换上了一副可以说是平静的表情。仅仅过了瞬间，那种痉挛就几乎消逝得无影无踪，终于沉积在他天性的深渊。当他发现海丝特&白兰的目光与他的目光相遇，并且看来已经认出了他时，他便缓慢而乎落地举起一个手指，在空中做了一个姿势，然后把手指放在自己的嘴唇上。
　　随后，他碰了碰旁边站着的一个本镇居民的肩膀，礼数周到地开了腔。
　　&我请问您，好心的先生，&他说，&这位妇女是淮?&&为什么要站在这里示众受辱?&
　　&你大概在这儿人生地不熟，朋友，&那个镇上人一边回答，一边好奇地打量这个发问的人和他的不开化的同伴，&不然的话，你一定会听到过海丝特&白兰太太，还有她干的丑事了。我可以向你保证，她在虔诚的丁梅斯代尔牧师的教堂里已经引起了公愤。&
　　&您算说对了，&那人接口说。&我是个外地人，一直迫不得已地到处流浪。我在海上和陆上屡遭险衅，在南方不信教的人当中给囚禁了很久；如今又给这个印第安人带到这里来找人赎身。因此，请问您肯不肯告诉我，海丝特&白兰&&我把她的名字说对了吗?&&这个女人犯了什么过错，给带到那座刑台上呢?&
　　&真的，朋友，我想，你在人迹罕到的地方历经劫难之后，&那个镇上人说，&终于来到我们这块敬仰上帝的新英格兰，心里一定挺高兴的；这里的一切罪恶都要当众揭发出来，在长官和百姓面前加以惩罚呢。那上边站着的女人嘛，先生，你应该知道，是一个有学问的人的妻子，男人生在英国，但已经长期在阿姆斯特丹定居，不知为了什么，他好久以前想起要飘洋过海，搬到我们马萨诸塞这地方来。为此，他先把他妻子送来，自己留在那边处理那些免不了的事。天啊，好心的光生，在差不多两年的时间里，也许还没那么久呢，这女人一直是我们波士顿这儿的居民，那位学者白兰先生却始终没有一点音讯；而他这位年轻的老婆，你看，就自个儿走上了邪道&&&
　　&啊！&&啊哈！&&我明白了，&那陌生人苦笑着说。&照您说的，这位饱学之士本应在他的书本中也学到这一点的。那么，您能不能开个思告诉我，先生，谁可能是那婴儿的父亲呢?我看，那孩子&&就是白兰太太怀里抱着的，也就有三四个月吧。&
　　&说实在的，朋友，那件事还是一个谜呢；象但以理①那样聪明的解谜人，我们这儿还没有哪，&那镇上人回答说。&海丝特太太守口如瓶，地方官挖空心思也白费劲。说不定那个犯下罪的人正站在这儿看这个让人伤心的场面呢，可别人还不知道正是他干的，他可忘了上帝正盯着他哪，&
　　&那个学者，&那陌生人又冷笑着评论说，&应该亲自来调查调查这桩奇案。&
　　&要是他还活着，是该由他来办的，&那镇上人附和着说。&唉，好心的先生，我们马萨诸塞的当局认为，这个女人年轻漂亮，准是受了极大的诱惑才堕落的&&何况，很可能，她的丈夫已经葬身海底&&那些当官的不敢大胆地用我们正义的法律强制判她极刑。论罪，她是该处死的。但是，由于他们心肠软，大慈大悲，只判了白兰太太在刑台上站三个小时，以后，在她的有生之年，胸前要永远佩戴一个耻辱的标记。&
　　&好聪明的判决！&那陌生人沉重地垂下头说。&这样她就成了告诫人们抵制罪恶的活训条了，直到那个耻辱的字母刻到她的墓碑上为止。不过，让我不痛快的是，那个和她通同犯罪的人居然没有在刑台上陪她站着，这本来是最起码的嘛。反正他会让人知道的！&&会让人知道的！&&他一定会让人知道的！&
　　他向和他谈话的那镇上人恭恭敬敬地鞠了一躬，又跟他的印第安随从耳语了几句，便双双穿过人群按到前边去了。
　　在这段时间里，海丝特&白兰一直站在高台上，牢牢盯视着那陌生人；她的注意力完全集中到他身上，那一阵子，她的视界内的一切目标全都从她眼前消失了，只剩下了他和她两个人。或许，在另外一种场合同他邂逅要益发可怕。如今呢，她那本来只该在壁炉旁恬静的柔光中b在家中幸福的暗处或在教堂的庄严气氛笼罩下才能看到的姿容，却在聚拢来的全镇人面前，被大家象看热闹似的死盯着：炎炎的午日烧灼着她的面孔，照亮了脸上的耻辱，她胸前佩着丑陋的鲜红标记，怀中抱着因罪孽而生下的婴儿。此情此景虽然可怕，但她却感到这数以千计的旁观者的存在倒是一种庇护。她这样站着，在她和他之间隔着这么多入，总比只有他们俩面面相溯要好受一些。她确实向这种示众场面寻求着避难之所，唯恐这项保护伞会从她身边撤掉。她的脑际充满了这种种念头，对于她身后传来的话语竟然充耳不闻y直到后来那严肃的话音越来越高地一再重复她的名字，使得在场的所有的人都听得一清二楚了。
　　&听我说，海丝特&白兰！&那声音喊道。
　　前面已经提及，就在海丝特&白兰站立的高台的正上方．有一处阳台，或者说是露天走廊，是从议事厅延伸出来的。当年，在地方陡官开会中间如果要发布什么公告，需要镇民都来出席聆听时，就在这里举行种种仪式。今天，为了目睹我们上面所描写的场面，贝灵汉总督亲自坐阵，椅子后面站着四个持朝的警卫充当仪仗。他帽子上插着一支黑羽毛，大氅上绣着花边，里面衬着的是黑丝绒紧身衣；他是一位中长的绅士，皱纹中印下了他的艰苦的经历。他出任这一地区的首脑和代表很适当，因为这一殖民地的起源和发展及其现状，并非取决于青春的冲动，而有赖于成年的严厉和老练，以及老中的权谋和手腕；他们所以能成就颇多，恰恰因为他们的幻想和希望有限。环绕着这位总督的其他显要，一个个都威风凛凛，因为他们所属的时代，官方机构被公认为具有神权制度的仲圣性。不消说，他们都是为人圣洁、主持正义的好人。然而，要从整个人类大家庭中遴选出同等数量的英明贤德之士绝非易举，假如让这种人坐下来审判一个犯了罪的女人的心灵，并分清善与恶的交错盘结，比起海丝特&白兰此时转过身来面对着的这伙表情倡滞的圣人们，不一定高明多少。确实，她似乎深知这一点，不管她期待着什么样的同情，只能到人群中的博大及温暖曲胸怀中去寻求，因此，当她始眼朝阳台上望去时，这个不幸的女人立时面色苍白，周身战栗了。
　　刚才呼喊她注意的声音发自德高望重的约翰&威尔逊牧师，他是波士顿神职人员中年事最高的一位，如同当年从事这一职业的他的同辈人一样，他也是一位大学者，此外，他还是个亲切和蔼的人。不过，他的这种待人亲切和蔼的心肠，并没有象他那聪明才智的头脑一样得到仔细认真的栽培，老实讲，于他来说，这种好心肠与其值得自我庆幸，不如视作一种耻辱。他站在那里，便帽下面露出一绺灰白的假发；他那双习惯于他的书斋中朦胧光线的灰色眼睛，在这纤变不染的阳光中，也象海丝特的婴儿的眼睛一样眨着。他那副样子就象我们在古旧的经书扉页上看到的黑色木刻肖像；而当他此时迈步向前，干与人类的罪孽、情欲和苦恼时，他的权力也并不比那些肖像为多。&海丝特&白兰，&那牧师说道，&我已经同我这里这位年轻的兄弟争论过，而你正是有幸坐听他布道的，&&&此时威尔逊先生把手放在身边一个脸色苍白的年轻人的肩头&&&我说，我曾经试图说服这位虔诚的青年，要由他面对苍天，在这些英明而正直的长官面前，在全体人民的旁听之下，来处理你的问题，触及你罪孽中邪恶而阴暗的一面。由于他比我更了解你的秉性，他应该是个更合格的法官，他更清楚应该选用什么样的刚柔相济的辞令，来克服你的桀骜不驯；以使你不再隐瞒那个诱惑你如此堕落的人的姓名。然而，尽管他的才华超出了他的年龄，却仍有年轻人的优柔，他同我争辩说，强制一个妇女在光天化日之下和大庭广众之中，敞开自己内心的隐私，是和妇女的本性格格不入的。确实，我试图说服他，耻辱在于苟且罪孽的当时，面不在于袒露罪孽的事后。你再说一遍吧，丁梅斯代尔兄弟，你对此看法如何?到底该由你呢还是由我，来探究这可怜的罪人的灵魂呢?&
　　阳台上那些道貌岸然、可尊可敬的先生们彼此一阵交头接耳，贝灵汉总督表达了这阵窃窃私语的主旨，他说话时语气庄重威严，不过仍含有对他招呼着的那年轻牧师的尊敬。
　　&善心的了梅斯代尔牧师先生，&他说，&你对这女人的灵魂负有极大的责任。因此，应该由你来规劝她悔过和招供，以证明你尽职尽责并非枉然。&
　　这番直截了当的要求把整个人群的目光都吸引到了丁彻斯代尔牧师的身上；他是毕业于英国&所名牌大学的年轻牧师，把当时的全部学识都梢到我们这片荒野密林曲地带来了。他那雄辩的口才和宗教的热情早已预示了他在自己的职业中将要飞黄腾达。他的外貌颇员舱力，有着高箕、白哲的额头和一双忧郁的褐色大眼，至于他的嘴唇，如果不是紧紧闭着，就会易于颤抖，表明了他既有神经质的敏感又有极大的自制力。尽管他有极高的天赋和学者般的造诣，这位年轻的牧师身上却流露出一种忧心仲仲和惊慌失措的神色，恰似一个人在人生道路上偏离了方向，颇有迷惘之感，只有把自己封闭起来才觉得安然。因此，只要他的职责允许，他就在浓荫密布的小径上漫步，借以保持他自己的纯真和稚气；必要时，便会带着清新馥郁和露水般晶莹纯洁的思想迈步走出来，正如许多人所说，使他们感受到天使般的言辞。
　　威尔逊牧师先生和总督大人作了公开介绍并引起大家注意的，正是这样一个年轻人。他们要他在众人当场路听的情况下，来盘诘那个女人灵魂中的秘密&&而她的灵魂虽然受到玷污，依然神圣不可侵犯。他被置于随她的境地，直通得他面颊上失去血色，双唇不停地颤抖。
　　&跟这个女人谈谈吧，我的兄弟，&威尔逊先生说。&这是她灵魂的关键时刻，而正如令人崇敬的总督大人所说，由于你对她的灵魂负有职责，因此，这对你自己的灵魂也同样是关键时刻。劝诫她招认真情吧！&
　　丁梅斯代尔牧师先生低下头去，象是在默默祈祷，然后便迈步向前。
　　&海丝特&白兰，&他俯身探出阳台，坚定地朝下凝视着她的眼睛说着，&你已经听到了这位好心的先生所讲的话，也已经看到了我所肩负的重任。如果你感到这样做了可以使你的灵魂得以平静，使你现世所受的惩罚可以更有效地拯救你的灵魂，那么我就责令你说出同你一起犯罪的同伙和同你一起遭罪的难友！不要由于对他抱有错误的怜悯和温情而保持沉默吧；因为，请你相信我的话，海丝特，虽然那样一来，他就要从高位上走下来，站到你的身边，和你同受示众之辱，但总比终生埋藏着一颗罪恶的心灵要好受得多。你的沉默对他能有何用?无非是诱引他&&明，事实上是迫使他&&在罪孽上再蒙以虚伪！上天已经赐给你一个当众受辱的机会，你就该借以光明磊落地战胜你内心的邪恶和外表的悲伤。现在呈献到你唇边的那杯辛辣而有益的苦酒，那人或许缺乏勇气去接过来端给自己，可我要提请你注意，不要阻止他去接受吧！&
　　青年牧师的话音时断时续，听起来甜美、丰润而深沉，实在撼人心肺。那明显表达出来的感情，要比言词的直接涵义更能拨动每个人的心弦，因此博得了听众一致的同情。甚至海丝特怀中那可怜的婴儿都受到了同样的感染：因为她此时正转动始终还是空泛的视线，盯向丁梅斯代尔先生，还举起两条小胳膊，发出一阵似忧似喜的声音。牧师的规劝实在具有说服力，以致在场的所有的人都相信，海丝特&白兰就要说出那罪人的姓名了；否则，那个犯罪的男人自己，不资此时站在高处或低位，也会在内心必然的推动之下，走上前来，被迫登上刑台。
　　海丝特摇了摇头。
　　&女人，你违背上天的仁慈，可不要超过限度！&威尔逊牧师先生更加严厉地嚷道。&你那小小的婴儿都用她那天赐的声音，来附和并肯定你所听到的规劝了。把那人的姓名说出来吧！那样，再加上你的悔改，将有助于从你胸前取下那红字。&
　　&我永远不会说的！&海丝特&白兰回答说，她的眼睛没有去看威尔逊先生，而是凝视着那年轻牧师的深沉而忧郁的眼睛。&这红字烙得太深了。你是取不下来的。但愿我能在忍受我的痛苦的同时，也忍受住他的痛苦！&
　　&说吧，女人！&从刑台附近的人群中发出的另一个冷酪的声音说。&说出来吧：让你的孩子有一个父亲！&
　　&我不说！&海丝特回答着，她的脸色虽然变得象死人一样惨白，但还是对那个她确认无疑的声音作出了答复。&我的孩子应该寻求一个上天的父亲！她将永远不会知道有一个世俗的父亲的！&
　　&她不肯说！&丁梅斯代尔先生嗫嘘着。他一直俯身探出阳台，一只手捂住心口，特候着听他呼吁的结果，这时他长长吐了一口气，缩回了身体。&一个女人的心胸是多么坚强和宽阔啊！她不肯说！&
　　那年长的牧师看出来这可怜的罪人一意孤行，他对此早已成竹在胸，便对人群发表了一通论述罪恶的演讲，他列举了形形色色的罪过，并且时时涉及那不光彩的字母。他在长达一个多小时的演讲中，详尽地叙述着这个标记，他那强有力的言辞在人们的耳际反复轰鸣，在他们的心头引起了新的恐惧，似乎把这个标记用炼狱之火染得通红。与此同时，海丝特&白兰始终带着一种疲惫的淡然神情，在她的耻辱台上凝眸端立。那天早晨，她忍受了人性所能承担的一切；由于她的气质决定了她不会以昏厥来逃避过于强烈的苦难，她的精神只能躲藏在麻木的石质硬壳下，而令动物生命助机能依然无损。因此，那位布道者的声音虽在她耳畔残酷无情地响如雷鸣，但却无济于事。在她备受折磨的这后一段时间，那婴儿的尖声哭号直贯云霄；她虽下意识地想哄着孩子安静下来，但似乎对婴儿的不安无动于衷。她就这样木雕泥塑般地又给带回监狱，从众人眼前捎失在钉满铁钉的牢门后面。那些目光随着她身影窥视的人耳语着说，她胸前的红字在中内黑漆漆的通路上投下了一道血红的闪光。
　　①据传为《旧约&但以理书》的作者，被视为最贤明的裁判者。
小编工资已与此赏挂钩！一赏一分钱！求打赏↓ ↓ ↓
如果你喜欢本文章，请赐赏：
已赐赏的人
我的电子书