Hero versus villain, light against dark, moral contradicting immoral—these variations of the battle between good bad are commonly used in a large number of stories. Most often the hero displays model behavior while the villain’s behavior is not to be duplicated. In his book On Moral Fiction, John Gardner said that a well written story “present[s] valid models for imitation.” One short story in particular, “Young Goodman Brown” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is no stranger this element, but it also contains invalid behavior models. In “Young Goodman Brown”, Goodman Brown, just married to his wife Faith, leaves one night to set out on a journey with a dark Traveler. Brown’s heart begins to turn away from good when he hides the true reason he
…show more content…
However, Brown resists going through with his agreement to follow the Traveler, as the evil ahead is against his family’s Christian beliefs. Goodman Brown also fears that Faith’s heart would be broken were he ever to join the evil that she had dreamt about. The Traveler eventually allows Brown to leave at his own will and Goodman Brown appears to fall asleep in the forest. Yet it is unclear whether the events that follow are a dream or reality and because of his guilt, Brown dies with no good in his heart. Looking from the beginning of the story to when Goodman Brown mentions a covenant to the Traveler, focusing on Brown, Faith, and the Traveler’s dialogue and the narration, we can see Goodman Brown is not a valid model for imitation; however, looking at “Young Goodman Brown” from when Goodman Brown first wants to turn back to when they first see Goody Cloyse walking in the forest, focusing on Goodman Brown’s dialogue and the narration, we can see Goodman Brown is also a valid model for …show more content…
His lack of complete corruption is a valid model to imitate in the way that he has not associated himself with evil like many in his town have. The Traveler informs Brown that even Brown’s father and grandfather were involved with evil. “They were my good friends, both; and many a pleasant walk have we had along this path…” This is news to Brown and he says, “If it be as thou sayest, I marvel they never spoke of these matters.” Goodman Brown is baffled by the fact that neither his father nor grandfather ever spoke of working with the devil. The Traveler also states that he has worked alongside the minister and even the church deacons. “Can this be so?” cried Goodman Brown with a stare of amazement at his undisturbed companion. Brown appears oblivious to the fact that the devil has dealt with so many townspeople. Because Brown is unaware of the Traveler’s companionships with people thought to be good Christians, Brown has innocence or freedom from evil. Being pure is a valid model to follow because it sets one away from bad
However, Brown resists going through with his agreement to follow the Traveler, as the evil ahead is against his family’s Christian beliefs. Goodman Brown also fears that Faith’s heart would be broken were he ever to join the evil that she had dreamt about. The Traveler eventually allows Brown to leave at his own will and Goodman Brown appears to fall asleep in the forest. Yet it is unclear whether the events that follow are a dream or reality and because of his guilt, Brown dies with no good in his heart. Looking from the beginning of the story to when Goodman Brown mentions a covenant to the Traveler, focusing on Brown, Faith, and the Traveler’s dialogue and the narration, we can see Goodman Brown is not a valid model for imitation; however, looking at “Young Goodman Brown” from when Goodman Brown first wants to turn back to when they first see Goody Cloyse walking in the forest, focusing on Goodman Brown’s dialogue and the narration, we can see Goodman Brown is also a valid model for …show more content…
His lack of complete corruption is a valid model to imitate in the way that he has not associated himself with evil like many in his town have. The Traveler informs Brown that even Brown’s father and grandfather were involved with evil. “They were my good friends, both; and many a pleasant walk have we had along this path…” This is news to Brown and he says, “If it be as thou sayest, I marvel they never spoke of these matters.” Goodman Brown is baffled by the fact that neither his father nor grandfather ever spoke of working with the devil. The Traveler also states that he has worked alongside the minister and even the church deacons. “Can this be so?” cried Goodman Brown with a stare of amazement at his undisturbed companion. Brown appears oblivious to the fact that the devil has dealt with so many townspeople. Because Brown is unaware of the Traveler’s companionships with people thought to be good Christians, Brown has innocence or freedom from evil. Being pure is a valid model to follow because it sets one away from bad