Young Goodman Brown is a short story set in 17th century New England. In the story Hawthorne explores and criticizes the Puritan/Calvinist values of the time. The Calvinist religious philosophy is ascetic and is critical of the world. In Calvinist philosophy humanity exists in a world of depravity and only those who are born into a “state of grace” are worthy of joining God in heaven. Hawthorne explores the religion’s philosophy and explores the hypocrisy of the rigid Puritan world. The setting is the most important part of the story. The setting informs the philosophy and actions of the characters within the story. The setting is an important aspect when analyzing the plot and Hawthorne’s intentions for the story. Young Goodman Brown is a short story since it shares all of the characteristics of a short story. The story contains a small cast of characters and focuses on a self-contained incident. In a short story the main character is changed in some way by the incident within the narrative.
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Faith asks her husband to stay, but tells her the errand must be completed that night. While walking through the woods, Young Goodman Brown runs into an older man who bares an uncanny resemblance to himself. Brown notices that the man carries a strange serpent shaped staff. While walking through the woods, Brown and the old man encounter a woman named Goody Cloyse. Brown has known the woman since he was a young man. When he was younger, Goody Cloyse, taught Brown catechism. The story suggests that Cloyse is also friendly with the stranger. The old man gives the woman the snake serpent, which she uses to fly away to her destination. Brown meets other characters in the woods, all apparently traveling to the same direction. Brown suddenly hears his wife’s voice in the woods. The old man fashions Brown a staff that he uses to fly to his
Faith asks her husband to stay, but tells her the errand must be completed that night. While walking through the woods, Young Goodman Brown runs into an older man who bares an uncanny resemblance to himself. Brown notices that the man carries a strange serpent shaped staff. While walking through the woods, Brown and the old man encounter a woman named Goody Cloyse. Brown has known the woman since he was a young man. When he was younger, Goody Cloyse, taught Brown catechism. The story suggests that Cloyse is also friendly with the stranger. The old man gives the woman the snake serpent, which she uses to fly away to her destination. Brown meets other characters in the woods, all apparently traveling to the same direction. Brown suddenly hears his wife’s voice in the woods. The old man fashions Brown a staff that he uses to fly to his