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   ms-mcgregor Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   When Goodman Brown first meets the devil, the devil is said to look something like Goodman Brown. In fact, "they might have been taken for father and son". It seems as if the devil is trying to become very familiar with Brown. As they make their journey together, the devil even claims to have been friends with Brown's father and grandfather.He says, "They were my good friends, both; and many a pleasant walk have we had along this path, and returned merrily after midnight. I would fain be friends with you for their sake.”He also knows Brown's Sunday School teacher and points her out on the way to the meeting. The devil even points to Brown's minister as a friend of his. When they finally arrive at the meeting, Faith, Brown's wife is also there. thus the devil seems to be on friendly terms with everyone close to Brown. Thus, when Brown wakes up from his night in the forest, he is left forever unhappy. Not knowing whether his walk was a dream or reality, he never trusts anyone again and that must have been a really "devilish" existence.

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   Posted by ms-mcgregor on Wednesday October 15, 2008 at 10:32 PM