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Exploring Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown": Allegory and Puritan Themes

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" reveals the dark aspects of human nature through an allegorical narrative. Set against a Puritan backdrop, it delves into themes of hypocrisy, sin, and the complexities of faith. The story follows Goodman Brown's unsettling journey into the forest, where he encounters sinister figures that challenge his beliefs and perceptions of morality. The symbols within the tale—such as the forest representing evil, and colors signifying purity and sin—invite readers to explore the nuanced interplay of good and evil in a rigidly religious society.

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Exploring Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown": Allegory and Puritan Themes

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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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