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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At this point I'm getting just a little bit tired of reading about Puritans. Very glad I discovered Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories at last, though: the excess of symbolism in every sentence is rather fun to read through, and the wry undertone running through his works is a delight.
dark
mysterious
tense
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Welcome again, my children, to the communion of your race." Did not expect to be a fan of a Puritan allegory, but it was more thoughtful than I anticipated. The lesson being that all people, those who seem to be obviously immoral and those who are considered pious and above reproach have all sinned and are all one. The host of the gathering in the wood says to the crowd, "Depending on one another's hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream. Now are ye undeceived. Evil is the nature of mankind." It could seem a sad or cynical observation, but as I read it, it took away the self-righteousness that often comes with piety and reminds us that we all are, at our core, the same. (The same in an evil way, but let's not quibble.) Pride is the greatest sin of the pious.
I didn't like it, at all.
I read Rappaccini's daughter like a month ago and it was a very good reading so I was very disappointed with this short story.
I read Rappaccini's daughter like a month ago and it was a very good reading so I was very disappointed with this short story.
Very interesting and extremely engaging for reflection
I'm typically not a fan of Hawthrone, but I did enjoy this short story. Young Goodman Brown is distinctly American, drawing upon the Puritan influence in the New England colonies. I find this inventive story of witchcraft and temptation. The story is sobering as it hits home for Hawthrone---Nathaniel references a relative of his who was responsible for sentencing many of the "witches" in Salem to death.
"Goodman Brown" learns that the mere act of encountering temptation, and the price one pays for being too proud, and self righteous.
"Goodman Brown" learns that the mere act of encountering temptation, and the price one pays for being too proud, and self righteous.