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Internal Conflict In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

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Young Goodman Brown Analysis In Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne; Goodman Brown must conquer his internal conflict within himself in order reach a level of clarity. Goodman Brown must choose to believe in his dreams within the forest within himself or his daily reality. Goodman Brown says farewell to his beloved wife Faith. Faith attempts to persuade him to stay, but to no avail. He insists he must leave for one night. Goodman Brown travels through the darkened forest. As he is is traveling fear takes over, and he finds himself wondering what devilish creatures are out there watching his every move. Then he meets a man deep in the forest who carries a serpent like staff. Goodman Brown is displeased to have met the man, but he has agreed to do so regardless. Goodman Brown informs the man that his family have all been good Christians for many generations, which the man replies saying he knew the man's father and grandfather, as well as other members of the New England church, and the governor of state. This statement confuses Goodman Brown. In …show more content…

The story is taking place in Goodman Brown’s thoughts, “What a wretch am I, to leave her on such an errand! She talks of dreams, too. Methought, as she spoke, there was trouble in her face, as if a dream had warned her what work is to be done to-night. . .” Goodman brown feels guilty for the journey he is about to embark on, and he fears that Faith might know that he is about to take a journey into his darkest thoughts. Most people have thoughts, and fears they don't want to face. There are things that go through our minds that we don't want anyone to know. Goodman Brown had these thought as well. He wanted to keep them inside, yet he also wanted to figure out what they meant to him, therefore, he did what most of us are too scared to do. For better or for worse Goodman Brown chose to face his

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