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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 10 page paper analyzes two of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories for symbolism, setting and characterization which illustrate the theme of perfection and man's sinful nature. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
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10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_MBhawsin.rtf
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in the New England area and deal with the ideas of the Puritans of early America. Overt themes of morality, sexual repression, guilt and confession and the journey of the
soul toward salvation are to be found in many of his works. Such is the case with two of his short stories, Young Goodman Brown and The Ministers Black Veil,
in which Hawthorne illustrates that earthly perfection is impossible because of mans sinful nature. The story of Young Goodman Brown centers on the theme of a young mans determination to
do the right thing, even though the rest of his community does not. This illustrates in a singular story the idea that perfection is not attainable by mankind. This story
is also thick with allegory about Puritanical values. For example, when Young Goodman Brown decides not to meet the devil in the woods, he is aghast to learn that nearly
all of the townsfolk have met the devil and are even on good speaking terms with him. This leads the rest of the townsfolk to determine that Brown is crazy,
making Hawthornes point that the religious groups of the time silenced the very gift of free will that had been given to mankind. Their plan seemed to be to rid
the world of all evil by silencing any voice of dissention. This short story clearly illustrates the idea that evil is in the doing, not in the believing. Therefore, evil
done in the name of good is still evil nonetheless. "His head being turned back, he passed a crook of the road, and, looking forward again, beheld the
figure of a man, in grave and decent attire, seated at the foot of an old tree. He arose at Goodman Browns approach and walked onward side by side with
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