YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN

1. What do you think Hawthorne's purpose was for writing this story?

     He wants to show how people are capable of sinning. He thought people were sinful because he was sinful

2. Hawthorne states that Brown's wife is "aptly named" Faith. After reading the story, do you agree? Does Faith's name fit her personality? Does Brown have true faith in her?

     I think Faith's name fits her perfectly. Brown's 'faith' was to stay with her. 

3. What do you think the pink ribbons signify?

    Faith's pink ribbons represent her purity in the story. The color pink signifies her innocence and her personality which is youthful and happy.

4. Was everything Brown witnessed real, a figment of his imagination, something conjured by evil, or a dream? Support your answer with passages from the text.

     I think everything Brown witnessed was real. That evil magic was involved to make him think it was a dream. He will never be able to see people the same again.

5. Who do you think the old man really is? What textual clues tell you this?

     He could possibly be the devil. He is proud of himself because he has turned men into evil. 

6. What does the staff represent? Do you think the staff leads Brown onward or is the primary motivator Brown's own conscience/mind?

     The staff represents the devil's staff. Brown's journey with the staff is similar to Eve's story. They were both fooled by the temptation and led to the path of evil.

7. If Brown had not ventured into the forest, how would his life be different? If he'd stayed home, would Brown still have Faith? Would he still trust his wife and his fellow townspeople?

     He would see everyone the same as he did before he ventured into the forest. He would be living with Faith and trust everyone with the purity in his mind.