Young Goodman Brown

Goodman Brown ends up a broken man who lives the remainder of his life in misery and gloom. Should readers feel bad for Brown? Is he a victim of society? Why or why not?

Dreams are a significant motif in fiction written during American Romanticism. How does Hawthorne use the dream motif to reveal the inner-most fears of his central character? How does his use of dreams compare to other authors writing in Hawthorne’s time?

Some readers may argue that despite Brown’s downfall as a Christian, his revelation in the wilderness leads to growth in his character. Despite Brown’s gloomy awakening, do you think he has grown? Why or why not?