Young Goodman Brown | Critical Overview

From the publication of his first collection of stories, Twice Told Tales, Hawthorne's books were reviewed often and enthusiastically. Although lavishly praised by critics, the collection itself sold poorly; an enlarged edition issued in 1842 fared no better. This pattern of critical appreciation and public neglect continued throughout Hawthorne's literary career, and he was forced to occupy a series of minor governmental posts in order to supplement his income. Hawthorne's work, which consists of over fifty stories and sketches as well as such...

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