Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by archmageofthearchive
Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
5.0
This is, in my opinion, one of the single greatest short stories ever written. The narrative is so tightly woven, the dialogue genius and subtle, and the prose are extremely sharp. While much criticism tries to explain the allegory as a man's venture into the realm of the sexual, I think that the story is much more universal. For one thing, there's very little to indicate that Goodman Brown's journey is specifically sexual (Freudians will disagree, but I remain unconvinced), and I feel that Hawthorn's concerns were much more akin to hypocrisy and false expectations we have, and how we thus betray ourselves.
The most fascinating character is, of course, the Devil, and this is one of the best I've read. He's not opening malicious, and his subtlety is what makes him so frightening. His ability to ensnare Brown tighter and tighter intrigues me. The way Goodman Brown falls from grace is so cleverly planned, and yet it's so obvious to us as readers, and to the victim himself, though he doesn't realize it. How often do we find ourselves digging our own graves, doing things that we know are foolish, yet pushing farther against our greater knowledge. Of course, we can never anticipate the actual consequences, and that's why we are so easily tempted, and that is one of the things Hawthorne does such an amazing job of exploring here.
It's unfortunate that such an awesome story cost the protagonist his Faith and happiness, but it probably wouldn't be nearly as amazing if that weren't the case.
The most fascinating character is, of course, the Devil, and this is one of the best I've read. He's not opening malicious, and his subtlety is what makes him so frightening. His ability to ensnare Brown tighter and tighter intrigues me. The way Goodman Brown falls from grace is so cleverly planned, and yet it's so obvious to us as readers, and to the victim himself, though he doesn't realize it. How often do we find ourselves digging our own graves, doing things that we know are foolish, yet pushing farther against our greater knowledge. Of course, we can never anticipate the actual consequences, and that's why we are so easily tempted, and that is one of the things Hawthorne does such an amazing job of exploring here.
It's unfortunate that such an awesome story cost the protagonist his Faith and happiness, but it probably wouldn't be nearly as amazing if that weren't the case.