“Young Goodman Brown” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

 “Young Goodman Brown” – Nathaniel Hawthorne


Summary

The story is about a young man, Goodman Brown, who leaves his wife, Faith, to travel into the woods one night. While there, he sees various pious members of the community performing a demonic ritual. Shaken, Goodman Brown returns to the town and no longer trusts anyone.

 

Character

-          Young Goodman Brown (main character, a young man who sets out on a journey)

-          Faith (Goodman Brown’s wife)

-          The Old Man/Devil (a mysterious figure who accompanies Goodman Brown on his journey)

-          The Minister (a religious figure seen later in the story)

-          Goody Cloyse (a woman who is revealed to be involved in the dark ceremony)

 

Plot Elements

Exposition - The tale is ready in Puritan New England, wherein Young Goodman Brown leaves his wife, Faith, for an adventure into the forest. He is reluctant to go but feels forced, wondering it is something he have to do to show himself.

Rising action - The story is set in Puritan New England, where Young Goodman Brown leaves his wife, Faith, for a journey into the forest. He is reluctant to go but feels compelled, thinking it's something he must do to prove himself.

Climax - The story reaches its climax when Goodman Brown is shocked to see people, including his wife, doing bad things in the spooky forest, making him question what he thought he knew about his town.

Resolution - “Young Goodman Brown” ends with him unsure if the spooky forest events were real or a dream, returning to town suspicious and gloomy, struggling to trust those he once believed in.

 

Analysis & Feelings

"Young Goodman Brown" makes you think about how people can be good and bad at the same time.  The story of young goodman leaves you thinking about who to trust and who to not.

 

 

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