Young Goodman Brown

Short Story | Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Young Goodman Brown Summary

Summary The Stranger’s Arrival on the Forest Path: At evening, Goodman Brown leaves Salem Village. After crossing the threshold, he steps back once more to bid farewell to his wife. Her name is Faith. She wore pink ribbons on her head, fluttering in the wind. Faith wished her husband would stay home that night. She feared being alone. But Goodman Brown told her he must leave on this journey that...

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Young Goodman Brown Literary Device

Figures of Speech Metaphor: Definition: When one thing is compared to another without using like or as. Example: “My Faith is gone!” (Goodman Brown, forest scene) Explanation: Here the word Faith is both the name of his wife and a symbol of his spiritual faith. When the ribbon falls, Brown feels that his Faith is lost. That means he has lost both his wife and his belief. This metaphor shows the...

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Young Goodman Brown Key Info

Key Facts Full Title: Young Goodman Brown Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) Title of the Author: American Novelist, Short Story Writer; Master of Dark Romanticism Source: Inspired by Puritan history of Salem, Massachusetts. It includes witch trials, Calvinist morality, and the themes of sin, guilt, and hypocrisy. Written Time: 1835 First Published: 1835, in The New-England Magaz...

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Young Goodman Brown Theme

Themes The Hypocrisy of Puritanism: Puritan society outwardly appears very pious. They strictly follow religious laws. But inside, they commit evil deeds. In the story, we see the minister, Deacon Gookin, and even Goody Cloyse joining the devil’s gathering. Those who were seen as the moral and spiritual ideals of the village are secretly sinners. This becomes a symbol of hypocrisy. Hawthorne shows...

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Young Goodman Brown Character

Major Characters Young Goodman Brown (Protagonist): The central character of the story. A young Puritan from Salem Village, newly married. Though innocent and faithful at first, his encounter with the devil in the forest shatters his faith. He spends the rest of his life in doubt and despair. Symbol of the fall from innocence to skepticism. Faith (Wife): Goodman Brown’s newlywed wife. Her ver...

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