English II

“Young Goodman Brown” Day 3 & 4 - Discussion Questions

1. How does the setting add to the meaning of the story? Be specific and choose words/phrases/imagery that works to set the tone of the story right from the start. What does this mood indicate about the nature of the story as it progresses?

2. Hawthorne states that Brown’s wife is “aptly named,” Faith. (i.e., her name fits her personality). After reading the story, do you agree? Explain the significance of Faith’s name and description. Look for the places where Brown speaks of Faith, and explain the double meaning of each line.

3. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory, so what was Hawthorne trying to say through his portrayal of the traveler in the woods? When, specifically, has the man in the woods “won”, and what is this meant to suggest?

4. How do the events of the night affect Goodman Brown? Why would this be? Essentially, “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory, so what was Hawthorne trying to suggest through his ending?

5. What is significant about the physical appearance of (what we can assume is) the devil? How does this add to the horror of the story?

6. When describing the events in the woods, Hawthorne uses ambiguous language in diction like seems, must, appears, perhaps, and maybe. Why does he leave it all so ambiguous?

7. How does the tone of the story shift and change as it progresses, and what purpose does that serve?

8. Choose a symbol / symbolic scene / symbolic moment from the story and clearly explain what is suggested and how that plays into the context of the story.

9. What do you think Hawthorne’s purpose was for writing this story?

10. Was everything Brown witnessed a figment of his own imagination, something conjured by evil, or a dream? Support your answer with passages from the text.

11. What is significant about the physical appearance of (what we can assume is) the devil? How does this add to the horror of the story?

12. When describing the events in the woods, Hawthorne uses ambiguous language in diction like seems, must, appears, perhaps, and maybe. Why does he leave it all so ambiguous?