Young Goodman Brown Group

Question:

dgunderson14
dgunderson14
Student
High School - 9th Grade

After he keeps his appointment with the traveler in the forest, Brown announces that he plans to return home.

Why does he not do so immediately, and why at each stage when he renews his intention to do so does he proceed deeper into the forest? Is there any reason to suppose he does not actually see and hear what he thinks he perceives?

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Posted by dgunderson14 on Saturday March 8, 2008 at 8:02 PM and tagged with young goodman brown.

Answers:


  1. kwoo1213 Teacher
    College - Freshman

    I perceive this as being directly related to a biblical allusion...one that involves being tempted, as Jesus was by the Devil.  Brown is also being tempted in various ways.  Also, Jesus was tested many times.  Brown was also tested in the forest.

    Brown's experiences are very dreamlike, so there is a definite theme of illusion vs. reality here, so yes, there are reasons to suppose he doesn't not actually see or hear what he things is 'real.'

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    Posted by kwoo1213 on Friday March 14, 2008 at 8:18 AM

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