Term Paper on "Young Goodman Brown This Extraordinary Short Story"

Term Paper 5 pages (1646 words) Sources: 3 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Young Goodman Brown

This extraordinary short story was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, who is rated among the elite writers of American Literature and especially compared with great icon Allen Edger Poe on the grounds of amazing vividness and particular way of story telling but still both the writers have plenty of individuality (Turner, 1980). The writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne, were deeply influenced by his thinking; course of life; family background and his surroundings, explain in wonderful manner the events and happenings of that time plus depict the intellectual thought prevalent in that era closer to reality. "Young Goodman Brown" was published in 1835, when Nathaniel Hawthorne was 31 years old. Hawthorne was born and brought up in Salem, Massachusetts. His paternal ancestors were political and religious Puritan leaders of Salem. "Young Goodman Brown" was influenced by this Puritan heritage, Hawthorne struggles with his own ethics and general morality of society in "Young Goodman Brown." This piece of writing is broadly classified in the genre of Diablerie that entails graphical depiction of necromancy or plot that involves devil as person in the theme. Another fantastic aspect of this story is the symbolic allegory employed which is so much multifaceted that it renders the "Young Goodman Brown," perhaps the greatest tale of witchcraft ever written.

The writer has paid meticulous attention to all details, which sometimes are so subtle that the reader is unconscientiously made to see or follow the writer's point-of-view. The protagonist in the story Young Goodman Brown has recently married a girl named Faith. The names in the story hold significant value and convey a lot of message from the writer. As in the case of Young Goodman Brown it points out that he is relatively young and inexperienced as well as a person who is good natured and wish to lead a godly life, while Faith serves dual purpose of name and also stress upon the qualities of purity and innocence as well as quintessential for leading peaceful and happy life. The allegories used are so intriguing that reader can't stop appreciating skill of the writer. In the beginning of the story we find protagonist leaving home for some purpose possibly known to him and his destination is also not mentioned but his young wife who was wearing pink ribbons was shown obviously concerned over her husband's departure at such late hours of the day and she implored her husband "Dearest heart," whispered she, softly and rather sadly, when her lips were close to his ear, "prithee put off your journey until sunrise and sleep in your own bed to-night..." But husband perhaps preoccupied with journey explained to his beloved wife the need to go and bade her farewell; as he was about to get off sight he turned back looked at his wife who was still watching and her pink ribbons flying in the early evening breeze. These ribbons are important as Fogle (1970) explains: "These ribbons... are an important factor in the plot, and as an emblem of heavenly faith their color gradually deepens into the liquid flame or blood of the baptism into sin" (Fogle 24). As Young reached forest and an older person asked him about his late arrival he told him that "Faith kept me back awhile" (Hawthorne 386). Now here this comment of Young could be taken in dual sense first it is clear that he was delayed by his wife secondly as it was known to him the purpose of his journey and possible outcome of it he was restrained by spiritual faith in the true sense, and his moral sense was intimating him of the drastic consequences and keeping him from treading the evil path of his companion. Even the very impression of journey in the darkness gives away the feeling gloom; dismay and heightened activity of satanic powers. In the forest Young came across a character that was older than him and held a walking staff in his hand that more or less resembled like snake "the likeness of a great black snake" (Hawthorne 387). This character symbolizes the devil. Another interesting thing that happened here was that the snake "might also be seen to twist and wriggle itself like a live serpent" (Hawthorne 387). This part wriggling of walking staff exposed the highly cunning and dubious nature of the user. This staff was presented to Young to facilitate in walking in the dark forest but the offer was declined by the Young that also showed resistance on his part to keep himself from falling into the contrivance of the devil. Young always considered his forefathers to be at moral high ground and thus accorded them great respect but when the devil told him that he had good terms with his forefathers he felt himself shattered as he always viewed them infallible and strong. And especially the hypocrisy of some of the well-known and respected figures of New England left him bewildered and infuriated. The people who in the daylight won't stop professing and praising God openly but the same people were indulged in the Satanism in the dark of night in forest and especially it was disturbing to see people like minister and his Sunday school teacher, Goody Cloyse, support the interests of the devil. This made Young realize that almost all the people are working for the interests of devil and there are hardly people that properly follow the path of virtues and piety but rather everyone in one way or another is serving devil. Upon seeing and experiencing the events this far Young no longer had any trust in the goodness of mankind and also succumbed to the demands of devil. On this occasion when the devil offered him newly-made staff he accepted it and hurried along the same destructive path everyone was rushing on. The staff here is the symbol of worldly gifts and pleasures that no doubt make it more convenient and hassle free to conduct our worldly affairs but in fact it is only expediting our way to death and destruction. For the ultimate shock the Young saw the pink ribbon falling from the sky. The ribbon belonged to Faith and its falling from the sky indicated that Faith no longer existed at this point Young cries for Faith "My Faith is gone!" (Hawthorne 390). This indubitably was the hardest and severest blow of all because it not only meant the loss of a reliable companion but in terms of spiritual realm it is equivalent of no matter what material gain or substantial achievement one may make the end product will always be zero because no amount self accomplishment can ever compensate for the faith factor and thus the constant feeling of deprivation and dissatisfaction will always prevail throughout life. Thus loss of faith means the heaviest of loss. The scene of the witch meeting with the flaming altars symbolizes Brown's baptism into the evil world that surrounds him.

The writer has cleverly executed the story as in the end when things had become unbearable just at the instant when Faith was struggling with the devil's machinations, the Young shouted loudly to Faith to save herself and not turn in to Satan but very intriguingly the next thing we are told is that he suddenly found himself alone in the forest and everybody left him there Whether Faith obeyed he knew not. Hardly had he spoken when he found himself amid calm night and solitude, listening to a roar of the wind which died heavily away through the forest. (Hawthorne). So it is left to the reader's discretion to take the story according to one's own understanding because everything that happened there may possibly be a reality as the aim behind it could be to make Young realize the extent of wickedness in… READ MORE

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