1. 研究目的与意义（文献综述包含参考文献）

1. introduction

1.1 research background

nathaniel hawthorne is the 19^th-century greatest romantic novelist and psychological novelist of america. he was born in 1804 from a declining family in new england. after his father died of yellow fever at sea when he was only four years old, his mother became overly protective and pushed him towards more independent pursuit. he fell under the influence of the family which practiced the puritan tradition. in 1941, hawthorne was dismissed from the salem custom house by means of public humiliation, both a great shame and anger for him. hawthorne had never made much money as an author and the birth of his first daughter added to the financial burden; therefore, he had no choice but to support his family by taking up writing. consequently, the scarlet letter was published a year later, which he wrote out of sheer vindictiveness. as the representative of american psychological revenge novels, the book in which characters#8217; psychological revenge is intertwined has established hawthorne#8217;s reputation in american literature.

2. 研究的基本内容、问题解决措施及方案

1. research topic

the thesis will cite chillingworth#8217;s revenge in the scarlet letter and healthcliff#8217;s in wuthering heights for comparison, with the purpose of disclosing the abuse of the capitalist society as well as reminding people of the importance of pursing true love and the necessity of awakening human nature. by analyzing objects of revenge, ways of revenge, results of revenge, causes of revenge and processes of revenge, the study will be of some importance for further academic investigation.