Young Goodman Brown And Faith Essays - Young Goodman Brown

Young Goodman Brown And Faith Perceptions of Faith in ?Young Goodman Brown? Throughout ones journey in life, our individual perceptions of faith in God, in mankind, and in ourselves, guide us along our path. In the absence of clarity of our faith, one is led to believe the norm is what proves to be popular within a society. Nathaniel Hawthorne's, ?Young Goodman Brown?, demonstrates to the reader, man's inherent attraction to evil, the intertwined depths of evil, and that a lack of understanding of faith; can not only destroy ones life, but also steal from the beliefs which binds us together in commonality. Even with a clear understanding of the Puritan attitude, the reader is left with the dilemma that seems to impose the idea, that faith in God alone is but a dogma in the absence of faith in and an understanding of humanity. Therefore, we resolve that it is not good enough to choose between good and evil; we must be all embracing of the doctrine of faith and forgiveness, so that we can function in a contributory way within our community. Is Young Goodman Brown's encountering with the Devil merely a test of his own faith? Or perhaps, is he simply intrigued by the mystique of evil forces that lie outside the realm of what he considers acceptable behavior in his Puritan times? ?With this excellent resolve for the future, Goodman Brown felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose? (634). Through his writing Nathaniel Hawthorne is able to develop a distinct set of doctrine that existed within the mind of Goodman Brown. Thus, the reader can assume that one trait of Puritan Society is a lack of tolerance for forgiveness. It is no wonder that Puritanism is known for a somber outlook on life, and a tendency to be immovable. A Puritan Society might find it difficult to see perfection in it's own members, especially if they do not recognize their own tendency toward hypocrisy. Young Goodman Brown's perception of his faith abandons him because he lacks a clear understanding of his experience in the woods. So in his ignorance he simply continues to criticize others due to the events that have taken place in his misguided life. He resolves that those he had previously viewed as pious, are now hypocrites in his eyes. ?Men of dissolute lives and women of spotted fame, wretches given over to all mean and filthy vice and suspected of horrid crimes? (640). It is clear that in the absence of the understanding of the freewill of mankind, Goodman Brown sees only immoral, sanctimonious, mischief-makers all around him. Thus, throughout the course of his life, Brown is overwhelmed with the burden of judging those around him. ?A stern, a sad, a darkly meditative, a distrustful, if not a desperate man did he become? (642). Unfortunately, even though Goodman Brown's ability to withstand the allure of evil sustained him through his own perceptions of faith, he lost something he can never regain; his belief in the goodness of mankind. When faith is shaken, or lost, whether in religion as an institution, or in ourselves for not being as constant as we think others are being, we change somehow. Like losing one's virginity, when the mystery of the church is questioned, or made more real to us, like it was to Goodman Brown in the forest that night, we are never the same. With a loss of blind faith comes the realization of a world filled with the horrors we pray to rectify, only to realize that we ourselves are as guilty as anyone. Our salvation comes with a clear understanding of forgiveness and the communion of saints which enables each of us to pick up the pieces of our unsuccessful attempts at perfection and forge ahead in acceptance of a less idealistic coexistence.

Free Essays on Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem is a collection of essays that can be compared to many of the authors our class has covered this semester. The one author that this reader leans to is Lillian Ross’ Picture. Didion wrote many of her essays from a fly on the wall perspective as did Ross. Didion seemed to have the inside look at her subjects in the first half of her book and in the second half she leans more towards her own experiences. Lillian Ross never included herself in her book, Picture, other than brief, non-descript mentions about being in the room. Both Joan Didion and Lillian Ross are fluent in the topics at hand for which they write about. Both authors take an inside look at the subject and give it their all. Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem delves into many different topics. Didion discusses everything from John Wayne, Hollywood, Joan Baez and then to herself and moving to New York. Didion is very descriptive in her writings of the surroundings where her essays take place but she keeps this stuff short and to the point. When she discusses other people she almost has a fly on the wall perspective. She discusses conversations and events that she could only get that great a detail by being there. Didion also has some essays that could only be written by conducting an interview with people involved like the first chapter â€Å"Life Styles In The Golden Landâ€Å". She writes of her own experiences and fears which helps to immortalizes her in her work with the reader. She does a great job at short stories with her attention to remaining focused on the subject. Lillian Ross’ Picture is a great view into the world of movie making. Ross has said that being an observer is impossiblea reporter has to be involved in the story. Ross is very much a fly on the wall listening and reporting conversations, describing scenery and clothing. She never really discusses her outlook on this movie making ad... Free Essays on Slouching Towards Bethlehem Free Essays on Slouching Towards Bethlehem Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem is a collection of essays that can be compared to many of the authors our class has covered this semester. The one author that this reader leans to is Lillian Ross’ Picture. Didion wrote many of her essays from a fly on the wall perspective as did Ross. Didion seemed to have the inside look at her subjects in the first half of her book and in the second half she leans more towards her own experiences. Lillian Ross never included herself in her book, Picture, other than brief, non-descript mentions about being in the room. Both Joan Didion and Lillian Ross are fluent in the topics at hand for which they write about. Both authors take an inside look at the subject and give it their all. Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem delves into many different topics. Didion discusses everything from John Wayne, Hollywood, Joan Baez and then to herself and moving to New York. Didion is very descriptive in her writings of the surroundings where her essays take place but she keeps this stuff short and to the point. When she discusses other people she almost has a fly on the wall perspective. She discusses conversations and events that she could only get that great a detail by being there. Didion also has some essays that could only be written by conducting an interview with people involved like the first chapter â€Å"Life Styles In The Golden Landâ€Å". She writes of her own experiences and fears which helps to immortalizes her in her work with the reader. She does a great job at short stories with her attention to remaining focused on the subject. Lillian Ross’ Picture is a great view into the world of movie making. Ross has said that being an observer is impossiblea reporter has to be involved in the story. Ross is very much a fly on the wall listening and reporting conversations, describing scenery and clothing. She never really discusses her outlook on this movie making ad...