Good Man :: essays research papers

A "Good" Man Is Hard To Find A "Goodman" Is Hard To Find I had neer really analyzed any work of literature before this class. I read books and stories for fun but never to analyze them. I now come across that in any piece of literature there is always a background or hidden agenda that the author wants the reader to get from the reading. In this paper I am going to analyze Nathaniels Hawthornes "Young Goodman Brown" to find the meaning. In "Young Goodman Brown" the protagonist experiences redemption, and through this redemption comes to an iridescent truth about himself and his life. This uncertain truth lies within his "faith" in himself, his community, and his wife. Young Goodman Brown is initially characterized in the story as a comfortably Puritan who is devoted to his wife, the community, and the Christian way of life. His wife, Faith, symbolizes his faith in himself, the community, and "Faith" herself. Goodman Brown is strug gling with temptation, the devil, and the ways of the Christian faith. He doesnt feel that he whoremonger face this struggle. He has a low level of confidence in himself, as did the author, Hawthorne himself. Hawthorne wrote this story during a time when he himself was growing up questioning the Puritan faith. This story takes place at least a generation after the Salem Witch Trials. Both Brown and Hawthorne exhibit doubt in themselves as well as their Roland 2 ancestors. Goodman Brown is also struggling with his past. He must take a journey into the forest, which represents temptation and evil, but foot also represent good. Salem can be described as a good place as well as an evil place. several(prenominal) events take place during Browns journey. On his way into the forest, Brown meets his "fellow traveler", who is easily recognized as the devil. The devil tries to get Brown to crossover from the Christian way of life to sin by offering his serpentine staff. He makes se veral advances, but Brown continually refuses. The devil tells Brown that his family has had dealings with him in the past (269). This makes Brown even more aware of his faith. He wants to remain a good man no matter what his ancestors were accused of, which was witchcraft and deviltry. press release on about his trip, Brown passes many of his mentors including Goody Cloyse and Deacon Gookin.