Young Goodman Brown

The key concept of this research paper is an in-depth analysis of the book â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This bibliography analyses the works of Johnson Claudia, Hurley Paul, Korb Rena, Carlson Patricia, and Hostetler Norman. These articles review the book â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.†Advertising We will write a custom annotated bibliography sample on Young Goodman Brown specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Carlson, Patricia Ann. â€Å"Setting and Fictional Dynamics.† Hawthorne’s Functional Settings: A Study of Artistic Method. Editions Rodopi, 1977. 128-131. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Anna J. Sheets. Vol.29. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. Literature Resource Center. Web. Carlson, Patricia Ann’s â€Å"Setting and Fictional Dynamics† article discuses symbolic connotation of the village and forest settings which influences Goodman Brown’s view of good and evil. T he author presents the scenic elements of the forest and the village without ambiguity. Carlson explains the innocence of village life. Also, she resonates on how an external influence can completely alter faith and perception. The article presents the climax of the plot in emotive context. The author resonates on the contradictory extremes of misguided attitude and false perception in the belief of ‘a blackness power.’ Besides, Carlson clarifies on Brand and Brown’s perception of super natural power. The conclusion of this article provides a summary of Brown’s frustration and eventual death. This article will add value to my research paper on the component of symbolism especially when discussing forest and the village. Besides, the author has simplified the understanding of factors which positively or negatively influence faith and perception. This article is developed from an array of deductive arguments from which Carlson creates her views. These argume nts are relevant to my research topic on the qualitative component. Conclusively, the article presents a strong climax on the plot of the story. Hostetler, Norman H. â€Å"Narrative Structure and Theme in ‘Young Goodman Brown’.† The Journal of Narrative Technique 12.3 (Fall 1982): 221-228. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 29.Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. Literature Resource Center. Web. In the article, ‘Narrative Structure and Theme in ‘Young Goodman Brown,’ by Hostetler Norman, the theme is conflict analysis between the narrator and title character. Besides, the article examines conscious awareness, Irony, imaginations, and the ideal epistemology in decision making. The author concurs that acceptance of universal experiment depends on perceptions and ability to create positive imagination.Advertising Looking for annotated bibliography on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15 % OFF Learn More Hostetler examines the psychological influence on judgment and conflict interpretation. Interestingly, conflict is the basis of confusion if unattended. The author identifies imaginations and awareness as themes. Hostetler presents well researched arguments. His proactive analysis of conflict is relevant to my research topic. The author proves that imaginations can be self-destructing especially when not balanced with reasoning. The conclusion of the article is drawn from a range of dependent and independent premises. These premises are relevant to the topic of my research. Hurley J. Paul. â€Å"Young Goodman Brown’s ‘Heart of Darkness.’† American Literature. Southern Illinois University: Illinois, 2003. EBSCO Publishing. Web. Hurley J. Paul’s article, ‘Young Goodman Brown’s Heart of Darkness,’ examines the controversies on ‘Young Goodman Brown.’ The article explores on the various views of sin, thus, evil. The author explains Arguments of different critics and confesses of a diabolical inspiration. Besides, Hurley justifies limits of fiction in arguments and hallucinations. In conclusion, the author opines that self justification and ego-induced fantasy is a disease of the mind. This article presents strong arguments on the negative impacts of self-justification. Hurley suggests that imperative and factious arguments only results in confusion. Subsequently, confusion facilitates ego-induced fantasy. In the end, an individual becomes the victim of his/her beliefs. In my research paper, this article will be the basis of thesis statement. Since the article consists of well researched sources from which the author builds discrete arguments, I will adopt it. This approach is easily testable for fallacies and restrictive notions. Besides, the article incorporates views that are relevant to the research topic. Johnson, Claudia G. â€Å"‘Young Goodman Brown and Puritan Justification.† Studies in Short Fiction 11.2 (Spring 1974): 200-203. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 29. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. Literature Resource Center. Web.Advertising We will write a custom annotated bibliography sample on Young Goodman Brown specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay by Johnson, Claudia G. examines ‘Young Goodman Brown’ in the aspect of justification of Puritan doctrine stating that God can open man’s heart to let him know himself better. The author explores views of Puritan theorists concerning sin and descent. Johnson reviews Goodman Brown‘s descent and visions. Interestingly, the author concludes that Good Brown’s visions and views on Puritanism is regenerative, negative, and of unjustified fake descent. The author deliberates on separating and defining reality and dream. Though Newton Arvin views Goodman’s vision as true, Jo hnson seems to think otherwise. According to the doctrines of the puritans, God gave man another chance after breaking the first Covenant. Despite the hard labor and sweat, the covenant of hope and faith swells above man’s inequities. However, the author asserts that Goodman’s vision misinterpreted justification to favor many of the misled followers who are not keen on self-scrutiny. Johnson’s views are practical as far as personal beliefs are concern. The essay concentrates on establishing the reality as part of self examination. In the research topic, the concept of self discovery is essential in predicting and interpreting behavior of an individual or a group. Thus, this resource will form part of the literature review. The author has applied qualitative research when analyzing arguments and refers to different schools of thought before a conclusion. Korb, Rena. â€Å"An overview of ‘Young Goodman Brown,’.† Short Stories for Students. Detr oit: Gale, 2002.Literature Resource Center. Web. Korb Rena’s article, ‘An overview of Young Goodman Brown,’ examines various themes in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† such as Puritanism, ambiguity, good and evil, and allegorical structure tales. Narrated in prose form, the author presents an accurate picture of the Puritan society. Besides, the article explores on the interesting traits of the main characters. Korb’s writing assumes a universal allegory as part of the analysis. The author explores the rich culture, essence of faith, and beliefs in godliness. This article is clear on plot and characterization. Korb acknowledge existence of loneliness and sadness in a dungeon of the heart suffering spiritual isolation.Advertising Looking for annotated bibliography on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This source is a summary of Hawthorne’s book. Thus, the article is relevant to my topic of research. It expounds on characterization of the cast accompanied by a simple plot. Korb’s informed conclusion facilitates understanding of the book. Besides, this article presents a quantitative analysis of Hawthorne’s book. This annotated bibliography on Young Goodman Brown was written and submitted by user Ruth F. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Young Goodman Brown Looking at the history of mankind, it is possible to see one of the attributes which always supports it. It is faith. No matter what century is considered, either before or after Christ’s birth, people always believed in something.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Young Goodman Brown specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story which dwells upon Puritanism, human beliefs and faith. The weakness of the society depends on the faith of those who live there and if one loses faith and believes that others have made the same, it leads to unsupported suspicions of evil nature of people who live nearby. Brown believes that al people around him have deep faith in good. This is the main basis of his faith. This idea can be considered from the name of his wife, Faith. He lives with her, so believes her, trusts in her power. Faith (wife) is the first symbol in the stor y. She seems to persuade her husband not to go outside, but he does not agree and leaves. Isn’t it the symbol of refusal of faith in goodness? When Brown goes to the forest, he does not pay attention to the fact that he goes to devil, he sees his neighbors and understands that they have lost their faith. This is the beginning of his disbelief and loss of faith in goodness as well. His belief is based on the beliefs of others, as it has been mentioned. When he saw that those beliefs had been ruined, his faith was ruined as well. The whole story is full of allegories which consideration helps get the main idea of the story better. Village is a symbol of something good, while the forest, opposing to it, is an allegory of evil. The dark night is the association with the devil, as evil affairs are made when no one is able to see, at night (Neary 248). The symbolic nature of faith is the problem which can be discussed perpetually as there is no specific answer to the issue. â€Å" The timelessness of mankind’s sin is revealed within the Puritans† (Jacobs n.p.), it can be stated that the allegorical relation of evil’s past, present and future is related to the Fall of Man. The time in the story plays crucial role as it can be considered from different angles and can be referred to the various symbols. If to consider the story deeper, it comes out that the story is related to the time of Salem witch trials that makes it eerier (Jacobs n.p.).Advertising Looking for research paper on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Reading the story, it comes to mind that a journey to the forest may be a symbol of a journey into self. Waking up the next morning, Brown could not understand whether it was a dream or everything happened in the reality. Trying to consider the whole story from this angle, it becomes understandable that dark forest is not just evil, it is a symbol of bed i deas which come to human mind when there is no faith in heart. The answer to the question about why Brown came so long was simple, â€Å"Faith kept me back a while† (Hawthorne 10). Is the wife meant? No! Brown tries to explain why his ideas have not been occupied by dark evil thought. The answer was faith. It is faith that makes people remain good and trust others. Nevertheless, having entered the forest, Brown was not sure whether he was going the right way, whether it was exactly what he wanted. But, the understanding that other people in the village (the symbol of goodness) were on the side of dark (as he thought), he became to assure in his choice. The weakness of the morality in society takes place when people stop perceive faith, when they are unable to consider what they believe into and copy the beliefs of the society. This is the main factor which points to the weakening of the society in general. The author of the book tries to find roots of such behavior in Puritan ism, a religion which creates corruptibility of private religious faith (Campbell n.p). Donoghue in his article tries to point to the fact that the absence of faith is not considered as sin in the story, still, Brown hides real reasons for going to the forest. Why does he do it? If it is not a sin, he could tell about it his wife. This is the matter. Walking inside self and searching for dark corners, a person cannot think adequately, and right when faith is absent, dark thoughts occupy human mind. If a person has come to the ‘forest’ (evil place is meant), there no other ways out. The same has happened with Brown. The time when he entered the forest was the beginning of the faith loss. Devil had already gained the aim, there was just necessary to strengthen the idea that all people were the same. The symbolic meeting with the village representatives is the play of Brown’s mind. Moreover, the whole journey may be considered as the mind game as in the morning the main character is unable to understand whether it was in reality or it was a dream. But, his opinion is influenced and the doubts have already occupied his mind.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Young Goodman Brown specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In conclusion, the main character has to live his life without faith in humanity and in good. Is not it a paradox? Living with Faith Brown does not have it. The story is a good example of the life of a person who believes in nothing, an unhappy man. Brown is tempted by devil, but tries to convince the whole society in this affair. Having been influenced by a devil Brown thinks that all people in the village are also under devil’s impact and cannot trust them as they are evil. Brown’s faith in goodness stops existing when he is sure that all people are tempted by evil. The morale of the story is that human faith is lost when they see that others in the society have already lost their faith in goodness. Works Cited Campbell, Donna M. â€Å"Puritanism in New England.† Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 Mar. 2010. Web. Donoghue, Denis. â€Å"Hawthorne and Sin.† Christianity and Literature 52.2 (2003): 215- 234. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Wildside Press LLC, 2005. Print. Jacobs, Laurie Anne. â€Å"The Depths of Allegory in Hawthorne’s `Young Goodman Brown.† Department of English. N.d. Web. Neary, John. â€Å"Shadows and Illuminations: Spiritual Journeys to the Dark Side in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and Eyes Wide Shut.† Religion the Arts 10.2 (2006): 244-270.Advertising Looking for research paper on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This research paper on Young Goodman Brown was written and submitted by user Russell Blackwell to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Young Goodman Brown Prelimbib Campbell, Donna M. â€Å"Puritanism in New England.† Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 Mar. 2010. Web. This source points to the main principles of Puritanism, the brief that people live in the state of depravity. It helps understand the message of the story.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Young Goodman Brown specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Wildside Press LLC, 2005. Print. It is a primary source. Neary, John. â€Å"Shadows and illuminations: Spiritual journeys to the dark side in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and Eyes Wide Shut.† Religion the Arts 10.2 (2006): 244-270. This source tries to point not to the events the main character lived in but to the specific experience he managed to get out of those events. The dark side is considered as the basic environment the main character had to live. Thesis The w eakness of the society depends on the faith of those who live there and if one loses faith and believes that others have made the same, it leads to unsupported suspicions of evil nature of people who live nearby. Draft Looking at the history of mankind, it is possible to see one of the attributes which follows it all the time. It is faith. No matter what century either before or after the Christ’s birth is considered, people always believed in something. Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story which points to weak sides of Puritanism and social believes which result in loose of faith. The weakness of the society depends on the faith of those who live there and if one loses faith and believes that others have made the same, it leads to unsupported suspicions of evil nature of people who live nearby. Brown believes that al people around him have deep faith in good. This is the main basis of his faith. When he goes to the forest, he does not pay attention to the fa ct that he goes to devil, he sees his neighbors and understand that they have lost their faith. This is the beginning of his disbelief and loss of faith in good. His belief was based on the beliefs of others, as it has been mentioned. When he saw that those beliefs had been ruined, his faith had ruined as well.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Considering the symbols which may be seen in the story, the first lines point to the main one. Brown leaves and house and Faith, his wife. Such name of the wife is chosen not by chance and leaving a wife for one night, Brown loses the faith in good for all his life. The dark night is the association with the devil, as evil affairs are made when no one is able to see, at night (Neary 248). The weakness of the morality in society takes place when people stop have personal perception of faith, when they are unable to consider what they bel ieve into and copy the beliefs of the society. This is the main factor which points to the weakening of the society in general. The author of the book tries to find roots of such behavior in Puritanism, a religion which creates corruptibility of private religious faith (Campbell n.p). In conclusion, the main character has to live his life without faith in humanity and in good. The story is a god example of the life of a person who believes in nothing, an unhappy man. Brown is tempted by devil, but tries to convince the whole society in this affair. Works Cited Campbell, Donna M. â€Å"Puritanism in New England.† Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 Mar. 2010. Web. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Wildside Press LLC, 2005. Print. Neary, John. â€Å"Shadows and Illuminations: Spiritual Journeys to the Dark Side in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and Eyes Wide Shut.† Religion the Arts 10.2 (2006): 244-270. This essay on Young Goodman Brown was written and submitted by user Roy B. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.