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Understanding Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown": An Allegorical Exploration

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" is a profound allegory exploring the themes of sin, hypocrisy, and the dark side of human nature against a Puritan backdrop. Set in the haunting forests of New England, the tale follows young Goodman Brown as he embarks on a journey that challenges his faith and reveals the underlying evil in humanity and society. Through rich symbolism, including the forest as a representation of sin and the serpent as Satan, Hawthorne critiques Puritan values and their impact on personal belief. This story remains pivotal in American literature, reflecting the moral complexities of human existence.

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Understanding Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown": An Allegorical Exploration

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  1. Nathaniel Hawthorne “Young Goodman Brown”

  2. Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864 • Born in Salem, Massachusetts • Puritan Background • Ancestor of John Hathorne – one of the three judges in the Salem Witch Trials

  3. His Themes in Writing • Somber background of Puritan Life • The sinful man • Hypocrisy • The Dark side of Human Nature • Religious in Nature

  4. His Most Famous Works • Novels • The House of Seven Gables • The Scarlet Letter • Short Stories • “The Minister’s Black Veil” • “Young Goodman Brown”

  5. Who were the Puritans? • Very strict: simple worship • Pure churches: no statues, tinted windows, or music • Long hours in prayer • Faith and knowledge of Bible more important than good works • Clergy consists of men of equal rank: no women • Deep belief in predestination- only the elect would go to heaven.

  6. The Infamous Puritans • The Salem Witch Trials put the Puritans prominently in the history books • Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible put it in Literature classes forever

  7. And Now, Nathanial Hawthorne’s Short Story“Young Goodman Brown”

  8. Some Basics… • Characters • Young Goodman Brown • His wife, Faith • Mysterious man in the forest with a strange looking staff

  9. YGB as an Allegory • What is an allegory? • A story in which each element symbolizes something more • Author’s main interest is the deeper, ulterior meaning • Symbols are always related, attempting to convey deeper meaning • Extended metaphor

  10. Can be defined as an extended metaphor or a series of symbols, but really can be distinguished from both. • It is a system of related comparisons, not one comparison drawn out like an extended metaphor • Usually a 1:1 correspondence b/t detail and meanings. • It differs from symbolism • emphasizes the meanings of the images • not the image itself

  11. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown – Basics • First some basics / Common Symbols • The Snake Satan – The Devil • Why? • See Genesis Chapter 3

  12. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown - Basics • The Forest • Evil / Sin

  13. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown – Basics • Stars / Sky / Heavenly Bodies • Heaven / Connection with God

  14. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown - Basics • White Purity • Red Sin • Pink ????

  15. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown - Basics • Fire • Hell

  16. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown – now, not basic • Young Goodman Brown • The common Christian man – brown is neutral • Faith • A Christian’s faith • Witches • Satan / Evil

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