Abstract: As one of the important materials for literary creation, “revenge” behavior and all the literary works related to it, play a significant role in Chinese and western history of literature. They are the epitome of Chinese and western people’s vengeance and have recorded the changes of revenge motivation and specific presentation during the social process since the ancient times. This thesis is to discuss the similarities in writing background and differences between two distinctive representatives in western and Chinese literature on the theme of revenge—The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “Forging the Swords” by Lu Xun. It analyzes the differences of these two masterpieces in three aspects: the differences in revenge motivation, the differences in specific presentation and the differences in comments. What is more, it analyzes the natural and historical factors that have caused these differences. This thesis gives emphasis to discuss and analyze the different nation’s cultural connotation and value orientation in the “revenge” motif and draw the outline of the development of Chinese and western revenge motif to learn more deeply about different cultures and insist on the similarities between different cultures while maintaining their respective characteristics.

Key words: The Scarlet Letter  “Forging the Swords”  “Revenge” motif 

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

Introduction-1

Chapter One The Conspectus of Chinese and Western Literature on Revenge-2

Chapter Two The Similarities and Differences of Revenge Concept Reflected in The Scarlet Letter and “Forging the Swords”-4

2.1 The Similarities of the Revenge Concept in The Scarlet Letter and “Forging the Swords”-4

2.2 The Differences in Motivation, Specific Presentation and Comments-7

Chapter Three The Causes of the Different Revenge Motive in The Scarlet Letter and “Forging the Swords”-15

3.1 The Natural Factors-15

3.2 The Historical Factors-17

Conclusion-18

Bibliography-19

Acknowledgements-21