Write a response paper to the story of ""Young Goodman Brown"" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Dive into the religious aspect of the story. Take a look into the main character's self-scrutiny and explain why it has led to his loss of belief
Sample Solution
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” is a story of religious hypocrisy and the dangers of abandoning one’s faith. The protagonist, Young Goodman Brown, leaves his wife Faith on a journey in which he encounters a strange man who leads him on an alarming excursion into the dark forest. Throughout this journey, Young Goodman Brown undergoes many changes that leave him with newfound knowledge and insight about himself, his neighbor's lives and the forces of evil in the world at large.
The tale begins as young Goodman Brown prepares to depart from home for an unspecified night-time errand. He bids farewell to Faith and expresses his worry that she will be vulnerable in his absence – setting up the theme of temptation versus morality throughout their brief exchange. After leaving her side however, Young Goodman Brown quickly falls prey to temptation himself when he meets a mysterious cloaked figure who encourages him to accompany him further into the woods where they encounter strange symbols associated with witchcraft such as pacts signed with blood and even what appears to be a witch gathering attended by some prominent members from their community – most notably including his own family members.