Minor characters in Young Goodman Brown
Minor characters are an important aspect in “Young Goodman Brown.” This story by Nathaniel Hawthorne mentions several characters whom the reader does not know much about. These figures are made to be mysterious in the sense that the reader does not know for sure whether they are good or evil. If Goodman Brown were dreaming this tale, then perhaps these people are good, just as he originally thought. However, if he is not dreaming and he really does go through this nightmare, then these characters are indeed evil on the inside and live two extremely different lives. Throughout the entirety of the story, these minor characters appear for short periods of time. Many readers do not know why Hawthorne includes some of these characters and do not even know exactly who they are. These two points are what adds to the mystery of the minor characters. The answers basically depend on the reader and how he or she perceives the book and its deeper meanings. Hawthorne is trying to send a message by using these characters and just did not come out and say it bluntly, but instead tries to get the reader to look more deeply into his story and
For the most part, Goodman Brown does stay away from evil but does not trust anyone when he returns to the village. The minor characters act just as they did before his dream, but now he does not believe anything they do. The minister tries to bless him as he walks by, but Goodman gets away quickly. Deacon Gookin is heard praying and Goodman thinks to himself, “What God doth the wizard pray to” (11)? Finally, Goody Cloyse is catechizing a little girl, and Goodman Brown goes over and takes her away as he is disgusted in the woman's doings. recognize these meanings for him or herself. Hawthorne then makes the reader think even more. He introduces the minister and Deacon Gookin, who both ride by on horseback. Goodman hears the voice of Deacon Gookin say to the minister, “’Of the two, reverend sir, I had rather miss an ordination dinner than tonight’s meeting. They tell me that some of our community are to be here from Falmouth and beyond, and others from Connecticut and Rhode Island, besides several of the Indian powwows, who, after their fashion, know almost as much deviltry as the best of us. Moreover, there is a goodly young woman to be t
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Approximate Word count = 782
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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