Young Goodman Brown Irony, Madness and Symbolism Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Another good example can be found on page 28 wherein the author mentioned that Goody Cloyse covered himself up as a pious and exemplary dame, who had taught him his catechism in youth, (Hawthorne 26) but is a witch, complete with a broomstick and evil magic spells. Hawthorne s irony makes him suggest, tongue-in-cheek, that her muttering is a prayer, doubtless (29). The supposedly holy minister and Good old Deacon Gookin (Hawthorne 61) is actually only pretending to show the image of holiness. The Puritans are referring to the English Protestants during the 16th and 17th century who are expected to practice strict religious discipline (Farlex Dictionary). In the short story, Hawthorne described the Puritan society as the grave, reputable, and pious people, these elders of the church, these chaste dames and dewy virgins (57) in bright colors of sin. Even the hymn sung at the satanic gathering is cloaked in the slow and mournful strain, such as the pious love, but joined to words which expressed all that our nature can conceive of sin, and darkly hinted at far more (Hawthorne 59). We will write a custom essay sample on Young Goodman Brown: Irony, Madness and Symbolism or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page According to Hawthorne (17), a race of honest men and good Christians since the days of the martyrs are actually the close acquaintances of the devil. For instance, the public figures of New England, who Goodman Brown thinks are a people of prayer, and good works to boot, and abide no such wickedness (Hawthorne 19) are revealed to be sinners.