“Young Goodman Brown” is a story written by Nathaniel Hawthorn. Some critics see the story as an interpretation embodying Hawthorne’s beliefs about man’s depravity. The most interesting thing about this story is the diversity in people’s interpretations of the image the author is trying to compose. There are many knowledgeable reviews and articles written by scholars, but one in particular stood out to me. In Paul J. Hurley’s article, “Young Goodman Brown’s Heart of Darkness,” the author gives his own opinions, as well as critiquing other scholars. In David Levin’s Article, “Shadows of Doubt,” he insisted that Goodman Brown is misled by the Devil who conjures up apparitions to befuddle his innocent victim. Hurley says that taking guilt away
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The point he is trying to make is that “Young Goodman Brown” is a work of fiction focused on revealing a distorted mind. Hawthorn has given every reason to assume the story is a revelation of individual speculations about man’s nature. To begin the story, Goodman Brown departs from Faith at night with evil intentions, and Hawthorn makes that clear. The fact that he is aware of the sin ahead and still proceeds contradicts any beliefs that there may be in Goodman Brown’s “simple and pious nature.” Goodman Brown’s conscience is blended by his departure from Faith. He knew it would kill her if she knew his intentions. The story implicates that Goodman Brown intends to get to heaven solely by clinging on to Faith and her Christian ways. Later, as Goodman Brown is in the wilderness with the Devil, he sees four characters commit sin. The revelations of the world’s sinfulness has destroyed the faith of a good man. Some critics argue as to why the young man’s visions of evil include only Goody Cloyse, the minister, Deacon Gookin, and his wife Faith. Hurley believes that the reason for Hawthorne’s choice of those four characters occurs to us if we consider their relationship to Goodman Brown. They are the four closest people to him in Salem village. It is obvious that for Goodman Brown to be committed to the Devil’s wickedness
The point he is trying to make is that “Young Goodman Brown” is a work of fiction focused on revealing a distorted mind. Hawthorn has given every reason to assume the story is a revelation of individual speculations about man’s nature. To begin the story, Goodman Brown departs from Faith at night with evil intentions, and Hawthorn makes that clear. The fact that he is aware of the sin ahead and still proceeds contradicts any beliefs that there may be in Goodman Brown’s “simple and pious nature.” Goodman Brown’s conscience is blended by his departure from Faith. He knew it would kill her if she knew his intentions. The story implicates that Goodman Brown intends to get to heaven solely by clinging on to Faith and her Christian ways. Later, as Goodman Brown is in the wilderness with the Devil, he sees four characters commit sin. The revelations of the world’s sinfulness has destroyed the faith of a good man. Some critics argue as to why the young man’s visions of evil include only Goody Cloyse, the minister, Deacon Gookin, and his wife Faith. Hurley believes that the reason for Hawthorne’s choice of those four characters occurs to us if we consider their relationship to Goodman Brown. They are the four closest people to him in Salem village. It is obvious that for Goodman Brown to be committed to the Devil’s wickedness