... , are they really as bad as they think they are? A common theme during the story is nature. One of the boys refers to nature twice, in two very different situations. The first time is almost animalistic. He states, "This is nature- when they are in the woods drinking beer and howling at the moon. The second ... do to occupy their time. We are told that the Indians call Greasy Lake "Wakan- because of how clear the water is. Later on in the story, when one of the boys is forced to hide in the lake to escape, we learn that the lake is actually filthy. There is a layer ... actual physical ap...

• Word Count: 682
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... good-natured and by the end, his views have changed drastically. It is unknown as to whether or not Brown is dreaming throughout the story or if it is actually reality. The symbolism and irony of this short story is very prevalent Hawthorne created the main characters name, Young Goodman Brown, to be symbolic as well as ironic. Young refers to his naivety ... resembling a black snake, which he offers to Brown, and in turn he accepts the staff. In a sense this is a way of showing the conversion of good to evil. In this short story, Hawthorne tries to get the idea across that no one is pe...

• Word Count: 999
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... town is motivated by evil, which Hawthorne uses many written devices to portray. Hawthorne incorporates symbolism, irony and metaphors into this story, which uncover the truth of this small community, and teaches the reader that nothing is as it seems, no matter where ... evil thrives and replaces faith. Hawthorne is outlining more than the underlying transition from good to evil, but the failure of a human to prescribe to human nature, as sin is a natural part of life. He died a miserable disillusioned man who rejected the remaining good of his ... wife and those surrounding him convi...

• Word Count: 787
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Young Goodman Brown Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown" is an allegory set in New England during the puritan age. The theme of the story is the evil nature of mankind, the inner struggle of good and evil, and the deceptiveness of appearances. Many questions go unanswered throughout the story. Why did Goodman Brown enter the forest? Is his trip into the forest reality ... or an illusion? Perhaps the author intended for the readers to come up with their own conclusions. The story begins with ... , Brown's new knowledge of the sin and evil in the world was very disturbi...

• Word Count: 467
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School