Critical Analysis of Young Goodman Brown

A detailed Summary of Critical Analysis of Young Goodman Brown

Critical Analysis of Young Goodman Brown

Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story of Young Goodman Brown is a reflection of the Puritan faith as well as man's conflict between good and evil. This analysis will emphasize on the theme of Young Goodman Brown as well Hawthorne's usage of symbolism and allegories throughout the story.

Literary critic D.M. McKeithan says that the theme of the story is sin and the terrible effect sin has on mankind. McKeithan also believes that the theme to Hawthorne's; Young Goodman Brown, is based on the ability that evil has to persuade man to do wrong and the falseness of man's virtues. The protagonist in the story, Brown, journeyed in the woods where he discovered that his Puritan community is not virtuous. Brown discovered that the entire community including his wife, whom is portrayed as being pure, indulges in sin and therefore Brown's life turns dark due to his loss of hope. Literary critic Mark Van Doren states:

"Young Goodman Brown" means exactly what it says, namely that its hero left his pretty young wife one evening ... to walk by himself in a primitive New England woods, the Devil's territory,...and either to dream or actually to experience (Hawthorne will not say) the discovery that evil ex

In conclusion to this critical analysis, I have used criticism in emphasizing on Hawthorne's usage of theme and symbolism in the story of Young Goodman Brown. Hawthorne used these literary tools in expressing the Puritan faith and falseness in it. According to Miller, Young Goodman Brown is a representation of all mankind.

Literary critic David Levin says that Brown allows the Devil's statements about the persecution of Indians and the Quakers allows him to accept the false statements of the Devil. Therefore Brown fails to distinguish the difference between a single person and actions of people as a whole. Levin says that Hawthorne's way of writing Young Goodman Brown gives a clear interpretation of the meaning. Neglecting the fact that the Puritans whipped Quakers and burned Indian villages, the reader can then notice what Brown actually sees in the forest. "The story is not about the evil of other people but about Brown's doubt, his discovery of the possibility of universal evil."(Levin 246) At the witch meeting Goodman Brown is invited to the communion of evil by the Devil. Brown is not sure that the meeting was reality or merely a dream, and if the people of the town were actually there. Regardless of Brown's uncertainty, the results of the experience leave Brown in the midst of hopelessness. Mrs. Leavis says that Young Goodman Brown became evil as a result of the sin that he believed he saw when in actuality, the evil was not there at all. Hawthorne's message is far more depressing and horrifying. "The story is obviously an individual tragedy, and those who treat it as such are right, of course; but, far beyond the personal plane, it has universal implications." (Leavis 236)

ist in every human heart...Brown is changed. He thinks there is no good on ea

Some common words found in the essay are:
Goodman Brown, Brown Faith, Goodman Brown's, Brown Brown's, Neglecting Puritans, Faith Faith, Faith Brown's, Devil Brown, Understand Brown's, goodman brown, McKeithan Faith, story goodman, goodman brown's, devil brown, story goodman brown, literary critic, symbol goodman brown, effects sin, brown faith, hawthorne's usage, faith journey, pink ribbons worn, ribbons worn faith, throughout story,

Approximate Word count = 1194
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels