Nathan Hawthorne :: Literary Analysis, Young Goodman Brown

In Nathan Hawthornes short story, Young Goodman Brown, the plot is carried through each stage of Freytags Pyramid. I will be discussing the rising action, climax, dropping action, and discovery and reversal. I will explain why each of these sections are important to the reader. The complications begin as Goodman Brown walks out the door. The tensions between Goodman Browns own egotism and his wife Faith begin the rising action of the story. The first complication is between Goodman Brown and Faith. Goodman Brown has an errand, which, he never discloses to Faith or the reader. She asks him non to go, because she feels that something is wrong, he insists that he must leave her. I believe this undisclosed errand is to raise suspense for the reader. The next complication is as Goodman Brown turns out to leave. He is hesitant and starts to question his own judgments. He justifies his actions by forecasting that after this errand he will never leave Faiths side. The road he walks toward brings more tension. The blasphemous road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest, which barely stood aside to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind,(325). The description of the road brings suspense to the reader. He said There may be a devilish Indian behind every tree, (326) then he spots a figure of a man. Goodman Brown nervously follows the old man as they talk and walk take in the road. Goodman Brown notices the old mans staff which bore the similitude of a great black snake, (326). The man rushes Goodman Brown down the trail. Goodman Brown eventually stops and said It is my purpose now to return whence I came, (327). The devilish old man persistence to continue down this long darken trail rises suspense. It makes the reader wonder, what is so important? Does Goodman Brown run away or keep going? This brings the third complication. In the forest Goodman Brown sees Goody Cloyse once his spiritual advisor and teacher. The devilish old ma n throws down his staff and she disappears. This make Goodman Brown believe that she is a witch. He also sees Deacon Gookin and the Minister in the ominous forest. This brings a burden to Goodman Brown that he can hardly stand. These are supposed to be the three purest of the townspeople. Yet, he sees them in a place where no church have ever been self-possessed or solitary Christian prayed, (329).