Writer Profile: Goodman Brown

Writer Profile: Goodman Brown

  • Submitted By: janayjj
  • Date Submitted: 03/13/2009 4:10 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1622
  • Page: 7
  • Views: 386

Journey with Faith
Analysis of
“Young Goodman Brown”

Nathaniel Hawthorne is a revered writer who allows the reader to imagine and paint a picture in the mind of the events taking place in a story. His writings intrigue the brain and give way to attaining fresh knowledge. He did not conform to what others of his era thought a piece of literature should contain. Yet stuck to his on principles. In Young Goodman Brown many critics have battled over the true theme of the story. Many believe it is human psychology, political nature, or even theology. When reading Young Goodman Brown, just like critics, you will begin to ask yourself the question of “what is the importance and what the real issue is in the story?” You will probably also ask the question, “is Goodman Brown dreaming or did the expedition in the forest actually happen.” The theme that is represented throughout the entire writing would have to be theology. The others are touched upon also but as you read every aspect of this Hawthorne piece speaks on a religious level. After examining the tale of Goodman Brown I am led to believe that the answer to these questions would be the transformation and struggle that Goodman Brown goes through to keep hold of or cling to his “Faith.” In addition to this analysis I aim to prove that Goodman Brown was not dreaming in the normal aspect of a dream but the event that took place was in fact an element of reality.
In researching the tale I will prove that the theology theme does exist in the story in three manners; by explaining the Puritan religion, showing the religious components of his journey in the forest, and by explaining his relationship with his “Faith.”
The Puritan religion or way of life was defined by living with strict discipline in a God fearing way. They read there bibles everyday and as one of the Ten Commandments states in Exodus 20: 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. The Puritans did so by preparing all needs for the...

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