Analyze a story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analyze a legend - Essay ExampleHawthorne intends to show the reader the struggle between approximate and loathsomeness which goes on in every individual. He points out the hypocrisy which is common in the Puritan society of that age. The Puritans hide the evil in themselves underneath pretense. Hawthorne uses characterization, setting and symbolism to show that human nature is a mixture of good and evil.Hawthornes characters all show themselves to be a combination of good and evil. Young Goodman Brown offset speaks proudly of his ancestors We have been a race of honest men and good Christians since the days of the martyrs (Hawthorne, 1034). The Devil is readily to point out that the Goodmans grandfather, a constable, was also the man who cruelly accused a ridiculous woman of temptresscraft, beating her on the streets. Under the devils influence, the Goodmans father set cauterize to an Indian village. Young Goodman Brown then boasts of the stern morals of the general populati on of the Puritans of New England, who ar people of prayer, and good works to boot, and abide no such wickedness (Hawthorne, 1035). The demon in sour boasts that he is on intimate terms with public persons ranging from the deacons to the governor. Goody Cloyse, a very pious and monitory dame, who had taught him his catechism in youth (Hawthorne, 1035) also proves to be close to the devil in fact, Goody Cloyse is a witch who uses the fat of a new-born babe in her evil spells (Hawthorne, 1036). Even the pious old minister of the Goodmans village church and his assistant, Deacon Gookin, are eagerly on their way to join the devils gathering. Young Goodman Brown himself is the best example of a good man who cannot control the dark array of his nature. He is confident in the strength of his goodness and asks his wife, What my sweet, pretty wife, dost thou doubt me already? (Hawthorne, 1033). However, although he continues to feel some doubts about his journey, and expresses his reluct ance to accompany