Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1835): A Review
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Publication Year: 1835
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Allegory
Source: Book
"Young Goodman Brown" is like that one awkward family reunion where everyone puts on a nice face but secretly judges each other’s life choices! This Hawthorne classic is a beautiful, twisted allegory that I think everyone should read at least once. I’ve read it a few times: first as a student (eye rolls included), then as a teacher (double eye roll), and now just for fun—because nothing says 'good time' like existential dread, right?
Each read reveals new layers of beauty and meaning, though it’s a bit like peeling an onion; it might make you cry. The first time through, I was clueless about the religious undertones and felt like I am just reading about Everyman. But once you get the gist of Hawthorne's family drama and his Puritan roast, the story transforms into a magnifying glass on human nature, complete with plot twists.
By the end, you're left pondering the true evil lurking in every heart—sorry, Devil, not your fault! No matter your faith, this tale serves up a universal platter of self-reflection, ultimately reminding us that perfection is as mythical as a unicorn. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you're hit with the ultimate zinger: “Et tu?”
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