2. Authors Bio
"Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem
Massachusetts. Since the beginning, he tried to hide his family
ties with John Hathorne, the judge who was invloved in the
Salem Witch Trials. To do so, he added a "w" to his family
name. Although he was not a big fan of education, he
enrolled at Bowdoin College in 1821. Seven years later,
Hawthorne published, "Fanshawe." He was not happy with his
work and tried to get rid of it. After marrying twice and
relocating, Hawthorne wrote one of his most famous novels,
"The Scarlet Letter," in 1850. Themes in his writings often
include romanticism and dark romanticism. Nathaniel
Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864 at the age of 59.
3. Story Summary Preview
“Young Goodman Brown” takes place in Salem,
Massachusetts. Goodman Brown sets off on a
mission in the forest, leaving his wife. While in the
forest, he encounters a old man who seems to look
like Brown himself. Together, they walk in the
forest in search of faith. They meet Goody Cloyse,
an elderly woman who is well-known in the village.
Refusing to be seen with the old man, Brown
decides to try and hide. The mysterious old man
gets the attention of Goody, she names him as the
devil, and reveals that she is a witch.
4. At this point, Goodman Brown states that he will
not return home and continue the search for his faith.
Before leaving, Brown is given the walking stick to use
if he changes his mind. A minister and Deacon Gookin
of the church are heard on their way to the ceremony
where the witch and elderly man were headed. Fearing
that everyone has forgotten their faith, Brown
promises to remain faithful. However, Brown grabs the
walking stick and is taken to the ceremony.
5. STORY SUMMARY PREVIEW
At the ceremony, Goodman Brown, sees his
father beckoning him and his mother. He is
dragged forward and sees Faith and tries to
encourage her to forget the devil but he is
suddenly alone in the forest. The next day, he
returns home and he sees evil everywhere. At his
house, he sees Faith but refuses to greet her. The
rest of his life is filled with fear and gloom.
6. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Who is Young Goodman brown?
What is Young Goodman browns wife's name?
Where is Young Goodman brown headed after
sunset?
What is carved in Browns tombstone when he
died?
What is the significance of his wife's name?
What mostly changes about brown as the story
progresses?
What is referred to as "Earths black veil"?
7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Who is Young Goodman brown?
What is Young Goodman browns wife's name?
Where is Young Goodman brown headed after
sunset?
What is carved in Browns tombstone when he
died?
What is the significance of his wife's name?
What mostly changes about brown as the story
progresses?
What is referred to as "Earths black veil"?