The Analogousness of Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" and "Young Goodman Brown" Essay Example
The Analogousness of Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" and "Young Goodman Brown"
Carolyn Arbuckle
4097765
ENG 1120 I
University of Ottawa
Submitted To: Ross Clarkson
1 March, 2006
Nathaniel Hawthorne is a classic writer from the era of Gothic romanticism whose literary works transcend time to be relevant still today. His use of many literary devices and symbols creates universal and multi-dimensional works of writing. Two of his more notable pieces are "The Birthmark" and "Young Goodman Brown." While the characters and plot differ greatly, the symbolism behind each is quite analogous. Some parallels can be explained by the context in which each story is written, as the influences in Hawthorne's life are quite evidently reflected in his prose. Born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804, Hawthorne is greatly influenced by the Puritan community of his past. Most of his writings question or challenge the Puritan belief system which involves seeking purity and perfection down to the smallest detail, and fighting against indwelling sin. Not only does Hawthorne have convictions against these beliefs, he also feels guilt for the actions of his relatives who persecuted supposed "witches" during the Salem Witch Trials. It is for these reasons that Hawthorne chooses to call the Puritan lifestyle into question.
Hawthorne opts to contest Puritanism through his writings that involve consistent and extensive use of literary devices such as ambiguity, paradox, and foreshadowing. This technique allows the reader to be engaged while reading the stories, and induces personal reflection from the didactic writing. Strong symbolism is also revealed through different mediums to represent his recurring themes. In his work, Hawthorne has a propensity to represent man's struggle with faith, as well as the fall of man, through Biblical reference, or sometimes in more figurative ways. These themes are explored successfully by his characters, that often consist of a dominant male character who
Carolyn Arbuckle
4097765
ENG 1120 I
University of Ottawa
Submitted To: Ross Clarkson
1 March, 2006
Nathaniel Hawthorne is a classic writer from the era of Gothic romanticism whose literary works transcend time to be relevant still today. His use of many literary devices and symbols creates universal and multi-dimensional works of writing. Two of his more notable pieces are "The Birthmark" and "Young Goodman Brown." While the characters and plot differ greatly, the symbolism behind each is quite analogous. Some parallels can be explained by the context in which each story is written, as the influences in Hawthorne's life are quite evidently reflected in his prose. Born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804, Hawthorne is greatly influenced by the Puritan community of his past. Most of his writings question or challenge the Puritan belief system which involves seeking purity and perfection down to the smallest detail, and fighting against indwelling sin. Not only does Hawthorne have convictions against these beliefs, he also feels guilt for the actions of his relatives who persecuted supposed "witches" during the Salem Witch Trials. It is for these reasons that Hawthorne chooses to call the Puritan lifestyle into question.
Hawthorne opts to contest Puritanism through his writings that involve consistent and extensive use of literary devices such as ambiguity, paradox, and foreshadowing. This technique allows the reader to be engaged while reading the stories, and induces personal reflection from the didactic writing. Strong symbolism is also revealed through different mediums to represent his recurring themes. In his work, Hawthorne has a propensity to represent man's struggle with faith, as well as the fall of man, through Biblical reference, or sometimes in more figurative ways. These themes are explored successfully by his characters, that often consist of a dominant male character who