Walt Whitman
Walt WhitmanAn Analysis of Hawthorne’s Style
Although many readers may say Hawthorne’s writing is difficult to understand, the descriptions of the characters and settings are vividly depicted through the use of allegory, and his many instances of symbolism throughout his stories.
“Young Goodman Brown” is an excellent example how allegory is shown through the writing of Nathanial Hawthorne. The story’s beginning shows Goodman Brown as he bids farewell to his young wife, Faith, before running an errand into the forest. From that beginning of the story, you know his errand had an immoral purpose, which is shown in the following quote, “With this excellent resolve for the future, Goodman Brown felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose.”
The allegorical aspect of this story reveals that Brown represents the average person and the sins that he commits in every day life. His faith is built on the people and his surroundings. Brown is not a bad person, but like the majority of mankind, he has a curiosity for evil. He is tempted by the man who guides him through the dark forest just as our society is tempted by immoral things such as crime and money. The dark man states that Goodman Brown is late. Brown then replies “Faith kept me,” meaning that his wife Faith physically made him late and also the faith he has in God restrained him from venturing into the woods. Notice the character’s names, Goodman, and Faith. Goodman being just that, a good man. Faith, his wife, represents the Christian faith.
Hawthorne illustrates the forest which Goodman Brown and his mysterious companion are traveling in as “dreary” and “darkened by gloomy trees”. These descriptions show an evil aura to the setting. The fact that the man traveling with Brown knows the dark forest very well also gives the man an evil aura. The man, who shows characteristics of the devil, had a staff with him that “bore the likeness of a great black snake”. The staff, which looked like a snake, could be a reference to the snake in the story of Adam and Eve, which man first sins.
“Hawthorne seems to feel a necessity to see everywhere a reenactment of the Fall from Eden” (Donohue 164)
“Young Goodman Brown” depicts today’s culture because it represents how everyone is tempted by an “evil” of some sort at one time or another. Our culture is also one that yearns for perfection amongst our evil tendencies.
Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark,” shows...
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