“Young Goodman Brown”

1. “Young Goodman Brown” Nathaniel Hawthorne

2. Biographical Information • William Hathorne, who emigrated from England in 1630, was the first of Hawthorne's ancestors to arrive in the colonies. William's son John Hathorne was one of the judges at the Salem Witch Trials. • The author may have added the "w" to his surname in his early twenties • Born in Salem, July 4, 1804 • Idle student • Worked in seclusion to learn “art of fiction.”

3. Legacy • Most famous text is The Scarlett Letter • Principal appeal of his work is in the quality of its allegory • Seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.

4. “Young Goodman Brown” • Setting: • 17th century, Salem, a common setting for Hawthorne's works • Themes: • the conflict between good and evil in human nature and, in particular, the problem of public goodness and private wickedness

5. Plot • Recent marriage • Faith • Why is her name important? • Traveling companion is, in fact, the Devil, • What is the purpose of their journey? • discovers others also proceeding to the meeting • Who? Why did their presence surprise Goodman Brown? • loss of Faith • What does he resolve to do?

6. The Result • uncertain whether his experience was real or only a dream • He lives out his days an embittered and suspicious cynic • "And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave...they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone, for his dying hour was gloom."

7. Spectral Evidence • Spectral evidence includes testimony about dreams and visions, accepted as evidence in court. Spectral evidence was admitted at the Salem witch trials by the appointed chief justice.

8. Questioning Faith • Hawthorne is highlighting the disillusionment that many Christians face at some point in their spiritual journey. • Christians present at ritual • Questioning the validity of faith