(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

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 recognize these meanings for him or herself.
             Most readers can probably recognize that almost all of the mysterious people have one major thing in common - a spiritual background. Goodman Brown also knows all of these people personally and is comfortable talking to them and probably has never thought once about the fact that they could be evil in any way. Since the reader does not know about Brown's purpose for venturing into the forest to begin with, he or she does not know if Brown is expecting to see any of these people along the way. It seems as though it is a big surprise and that he is very confused. .
             The first character he comes across is Goody Cloyse. Goodman Brown cannot understand why an elderly woman is walking so far out in the wilderness at this time of night.


Essays Related to Minor characters in Young Goodman Brown

1. Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown

... said to be one of Hawthorne's best short stories. It is the epitome of Hawthorne's mental struggle with good and evil. Throughout the story "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne uses symbolism in the names of his characters, the setting, and objects. The story itself represents a journey that every man must face, the journey through life and the temptation of evil. Everyone must ... evil and sneakiness. The staff implies the characteristics of the companion: sneaky, devilish, sinful, and deceiving. Goodman even thinks he sees the staff twisting and wriggling like a living serpent. There were...

  • Word Count: 534
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Hawthorne's Portrayal Of Puritanical Hypocricy

... witchcraft, and the concepts of guilt, confession, and hypocrisy to show his feelings on the Puritanical society and the way they treat other people. He does this by using primary characters in the novels The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, and many short stories who have a problem, like an inner secret, or who have some kind of guilt, and ... of people and critical, which is not what their religious practices are suppose to be. "Young Goodman Brown" is a short story that demonstrates hypocrisy in a different way than The Scarlet Letter. In "Young Goodman Brown," a man ha...

  • Word Count: 3188
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Cartoons

... no super powers unlike his counterpart, the Batman stories were more exciting. Many well-known characters came about in those years including, Little Orphan Annie, Dick Tracy, Popeye, Mutt & Jeff, Little Nemo and Buster Brown. Timely Comics, which would later become Marvel Comics, the most famous comic book company ... as Stan Lee, received his first published work in Captain America. Young Stan Lee would later go on to become the most famous writer and editor in the history of comics. With the end of the war in 1945, comics were in less in demand and that signified the end of The Golden ...

  • Word Count: 1257
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question