1. Nathaniel Hawthorne “Young Goodman Brown”

2. Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864 Born in Salem, Massachusetts Puritan Background Ancestor of John Hathorne – one of the three judges in the Salem Witch Trials

3. His Themes in Writing Somber background of Puritan Life –The sinful man –Hypocrisy The Dark side of Human Nature –Religious in Nature

4. His Most Famous Works Novels –The House of Seven Gables –The Scarlet Letter Short Stories –“The Minister’s Black Veil” –“Young Goodman Brown”

5. Who were the Puritans? Very strict: simple worship Pure churches: no statues, tinted windows, or music Long hours in prayer –Faith and knowledge of Bible more important than good works Clergy consists of men of equal rank: no women Deep belief in predestination- only the elect would go to heaven.

6. The Infamous Puritans The Salem Witch Trials put the Puritans prominently in the history books Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible put it in Literature classes forever

7. And Now, Nathanial Hawthorne’s Short Story “Young Goodman Brown”

8. Some Basics… Characters –Young Goodman Brown –His wife, Faith –Mysterious man in the forest with a strange looking staff

9. YGB as an Allegory What is an allegory? –A story in which each element symbolizes something more Author’s main interest is the deeper, ulterior meaning –Symbols are always related, attempting to convey deeper meaning Extended metaphor

10. Can be defined as an extended metaphor or a series of symbols, but really can be distinguished from both. –It is a system of related comparisons, not one comparison drawn out like an extended metaphor Usually a 1:1 correspondence b/t detail and meanings. –It differs from symbolism emphasizes the meanings of the images –not the image itself

11. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown – Basics First some basics / Common Symbols The Snake Satan – The Devil Why? –See Genesis Chapter 3

12. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown - Basics The Forest Evil / Sin

13. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown – Basics Stars / Sky / Heavenly Bodies Heaven / Connection with God

14. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown - Basics WhitePurity RedSin Pink????

15. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown - Basics Fire Hell

16. The Allegory of Young Goodman Brown – now, not basic Young Goodman Brown The common Christian man – brown is neutral Faith A Christian’s faith Witches Satan / Evil