GABRIELLEJ JAREDEVA ALLI

Young Goodman Brown By: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Authors Bio "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in

Salem Massachusetts. Since the beginning, he tried to hide his family ties with John Hathorne, the judge who was invloved in the Salem Witch Trials. To do so, he added a "w" to his family name. Although he was not a big fan of education, he enrolled at Bowdoin College in 1821. Seven years later, Hawthorne published, "Fanshawe." He was not happy with his work and tried to get rid of it. After marrying twice and relocating, Hawthorne wrote one of his most famous novels, "The Scarlet Letter," in 1850. Themes in his writings often include romanticism and dark romanticism. Nathaniel Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864 at the age of 59. 

 

Story Summary Preview

“Young Goodman Brown” takes place in Salem, Massachusetts. Goodman Brown sets off on a mission in the forest, leaving his wife. While in the forest, he encounters a old man who seems to look like Brown himself. Together, they walk in the forest in search of faith. They meet Goody Cloyse, an elderly woman who is well-known in the village. Refusing to be seen with the old man, Brown decides to try and hide. The mysterious old man gets the attention of Goody, she names him as the devil, and reveals that she is a witch.

At this point, Goodman Brown states that he will not return home and continue the search for his faith. Before leaving, Brown is given the walking stick to use if he changes his mind. A minister and Deacon Gookin of the church are heard on their way to the ceremony where the witch and elderly man were headed. Fearing that everyone has forgotten their faith, Brown promises to remain faithful. However, Brown grabs the walking stick and is taken to the ceremony.

STORY SUMMARY PREVIEW

At the ceremony, Goodman Brown, sees his father beckoning him and his mother. He is dragged forward and sees Faith and tries to encourage her to forget the devil but he is suddenly alone in the forest. The next day, he returns home and he sees evil everywhere. At his house, he sees Faith but refuses to greet her. The rest of his life is filled with fear and gloom.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Who is Young Goodman brown? What is Young Goodman browns wife's

name? Where is Young Goodman brown headed

after sunset? What is carved in Browns tombstone when he

died? What is the significance of his wife's name? What mostly changes about brown as the

story progresses? What is referred to as "Earths black veil"?