The Deeper Meanings of Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay

The Deeper Meanings of Young Goodman Brown Young Goodman Brown, a story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, should be interpreted on a psychoanalytical level rather than a religious one. It is my observation that Young Goodman Brown may very well be the first published work alluding to divisions of the mind and personality theory. Although religion is a direct theme throughout the story, Young Goodman Brown appears to be an allegory with deeper meanings. To explore properly my position concerning the dynamics of Young Goodman Brown, it is necessary to understand Freuds structural model. The development of Freuds structural model presents an understanding of the struggles between the conscious and unconscious forces of the†¦show more content†¦The pleasure-seeking id is clearly dominating its control over the superego. Another part of the psyche that is critical in controlling the impulses of the id is called the superego. With the superego our innate tendencies of the id are properly restrained. When Goodman Brown questions the travelers advice to continue the journey, he is allowing his superego to take charge. This is shown when he confidently declares, I have scruples, touching the matter thou wotst of (Hawthorne 274). Goodman Brown also shows signs of his fighting superego when he firmly asserts, My mind is made up. Not another step will I budge on this errand... (Hawthorne 276). In the story, Brown is frequently stopping and reconsidering his commitment to the traveler, which is comparable to what an id and superego would do. The superego focuses on moral standards to justify decisions. An example of this is when Goodman Brown sat himself down at the stump of a tree and refused to go any farther (Hawthorne 276). For Goodman Brown to stop this way, his superego must have had just enough doubt to cause him to want to stop in his tracks. The staff, which is fashioned from a maple branch by the guide, can be interpreted as a symbolic link. This link connects the dark, inner forces (the id) with the higher, rational forces that govern our benevolence (the superego). When Goodman Brown states that he will go no further, theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Young Goodman Brown1179 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Young Goodman Brown† is an odd story with a deeper meaning than is apparent on the surface. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote his short story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† in 1835 with what seems like the intentions of gothic and romance features. However, looking further into the story of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† it is clear to see that there is a possibility that the imagery displayed can lead to some interesting theories behind Hawthornes purpose, imagery, and symbolism in the text. Throughout the story, HawthorneRead MoreYoung Goodman Brown from a Moral Standpoint1352 Words   |  6 PagesHawthorne discov ered that his ancestors were founders and Puritan leaders of the Salem witch trials. Shortly after this tragic finding, he wrote â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† a tale that is considered one of the greatest in American literature. Analyzing Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work from a moral perspective can help illuminate his short story: â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.† Hawthorne was both prideful and embarrassed in the actions of his ancestors. 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Though it is not clear whether the events inRead MoreCompare And Contrast Scarlet Letter And Young Goodman Brown1485 Words   |  6 Pageshumiliate her and Goodman Brown’s hopelessness after seeing people he trusts conversing with the devil. In Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hester gains a new strength from the letter A after recognizing the evil nature of Puritan society. Whereas in Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† witnessing Puritan’s hypocrisy first hand, Goodman Brown falls into despair and confusing. Although depict ed in different lights, Hawthorne’s characters in The Scarlet Letter and â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† ultimately revealRead MoreAnalysis Of Hawthorne s The Man s Fall 1438 Words   |  6 PagesCalvinistic, and ancient beliefs that form the basis of Hawthorne’s work (Hawthorne 392). Besides, the researcher notes that Hawthorne’s life is authentic although fictional. There is a psychological aspect of the story in that the man’s fall is unavoidable. The narration contains metaphoric and literal journey of the newlywed male character. However, he is making the treacherous journey with the devil himself therefore creating a spiritual crisis. Goodman Brown’s decision is ambiguous to his audience becauseRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne979 Words   |  4 Pageswell-known dark romanticist and author of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† and â€Å"The Scarlet Letter,† displays a love for story and symbols. Goodman Brown in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† chooses to question his faith and sells himself out of everyone because he does not believe in anyone. Whereas Hester in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter,† was thrown away from everyone because of her actions. Hawthorne’s usage of light and dark imagery in both, â€Å"The Scarlet Letter,† and â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† represents good and evil, and the difficultyRead MoreThe Theme Of Faith In Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown945 Words   |  4 PagesHawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, is a coming of age story of saints and sinners. Goodman Brown, our main character and narrator, leads us through his experience of the forest and the temptations to give into sin. Yet, it seems he is the most affected within this journey, by his wife of 3 months—Faith. Faith, as well as the puritan society’s as a whole—is represented as innocence and pure. As the story progresses any reader can conclude that no t one member of the puritan society is untainted fromRead MoreAnalysis Of Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Great Gatsby 1416 Words   |  6 PagesEdgar Allan Poe, born in the year 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts, was also a writer in Dark Romanticism. An orphan at a young age, Poe was going through a tough childhood. 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