Nathaniel Hawthorne ( ) American author Ancestor was a judge in the Salem witch trials Preoccupied with Puritan past

Nathaniel Hawthorne Themes of sin and its consequences Complex symbolism, allegory Novels: The Scarlet Letter; House of Seven Gables

Types of Conflict Person vs. self Person vs. others Person vs. God Person vs. Nature Find evidence of each type

Movement of Events Exposition –Background of Faith’s love (par. 1-7) Complication –Goodman Brown’s discussion with the devil (par ) – Brown’s internal deliberation (par.15, 17, 21, 39, 46, 48) –Goody Cloyse talking with the devil (par ) –Deakon Gookin meeting the devil (par. 41) Climax –The service and the decision to fly (par ) Denouement –Living gloomily ever after (p. 310)

Natural Setting Hostile Salem, MA, around 1690 Sunset, night Dark Forest

Names of Characters –Allegorical significance –Historical significance provides an eerie sense of authenticity Protagonists = Goodman Brown and Faith Antagonists = The Devil and townspeople

Title –Goodman Brown could be anyone— “Everyman” –The story is about a universal problem—good (Goodman) versus evil (Brown) Point of View –Third person limited through Goodman Brown’s eyes –Why?

Allegorical: Every aspect of the story has significance Names –Faith –Goodman Brown –Goody Cloyse –Martha Carrier –Deakon Gookin Forest setting –Darkness of sin Staff –Serpent, Satan, biblical reference Pink Ribbons –Innocence –Purity –Love Cloud –Reverse of the biblical “cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1

Allegorical Parallels between Meeting and Church Service Dreadful anthem = Hymn singing Rock = Altar or pulpit Blazing pines = Candles Assembled townspeople= Church congregation Satan = Pastor Swelling chorus = Church choir/organ Presentation of converts and basin of blood = Baptism

Like the characters, setting, and title, the theme is ambiguous Is this a dream or reality? Is faith really true? Can anyone be trusted? Is all apparent goodness mere hypocrisy? No clear answer is given