In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne reveals his feelings about his Puritan ancestors when
A. the dark man reveals that he helped Brown's forebears persecute others.
B. Faith expresses her anxieties about young Browns departure.
C. Brown discovers his catechism teacher is on speaking terms with the Devil
D. Brown strives to resist his dark mission
I picked A, because Hawthorne was fascinated by his region’s Puritan past,
possibly because one of his own ancestors was one of the
judges who sentenced the Salem witches to death. However, many of Hawthorne's
works explore the hypocrisy he saw in the Puritan's behavior. He suggests in
his novels and in his short stories that
many people who pretend to be strictly religious really aren't so pure on the inside. While they may go to church
and appear to be holy, they’re just as sinful as everyone else. In addition, this hypocrisy comment could point to answer C, since this Puritan teacher is on speaking terms with the Devil.
Am I on the wrong or right track with my thinking? I have read this short story ten times and the same thoughts run through my head.
This is a very difficult story to understand, no matter how many times you read it! Same with me!!
I think all four could be valid answers ... but A is most likely what the test writer is looking for because of the use of "his Puritan ancestors" and "Brown's forebears."
The other answer choices have to do with the plot, but make no connection with Hawthorne's interest in the "Puritan past."
You are on the right track with your thinking! In the short story "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author does reveal his feelings about his Puritan ancestors through various elements in the story. Let's analyze the options:
A. The dark man reveals that he helped Brown's forebears persecute others.
This option is indeed significant because it shows the dark history of Brown's ancestors. The revelation that Brown's forebears were involved in persecuting others suggests Hawthorne's criticism of the Puritans' harsh and judgmental nature.
B. Faith expresses her anxieties about young Brown's departure.
Although Faith's anxieties reflect the potential consequences of Brown's actions, it does not directly reveal Hawthorne's feelings about his Puritan ancestors.
C. Brown discovers his catechism teacher is on speaking terms with the Devil.
This option is also significant because it highlights the hypocrisy of the Puritan community. In the story, the discovery that Brown's catechism teacher is associated with the Devil exposes the hidden sins and moral corruption within the community.
D. Brown strives to resist his dark mission.
While Brown's attempt to resist his dark mission may demonstrate his inner struggle against evil, it does not specifically reveal Hawthorne's feelings about his Puritan ancestors.
Based on your analysis, both options A and C align with Hawthorne's criticism of the Puritans and their hypocrisy. However, option A directly connects to Hawthorne's fascination with his own Puritan ancestry and the historical context of the Salem witch trials. Thus, your choice of option A is a valid interpretation considering Hawthorne's exploration of Puritan history and hypocrisy in his works.