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Essay / The Impact of Religion in Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown"
Getting lost along the waySay no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Various social movements have shaped society politically, economically, and religiously over the centuries. Religion, in particular, has had a huge impact. In the 16th and 17th centuries, a reform movement known as Puritanism spread voraciously. The Puritans sought to harness their passion for their (Protestant) religion and rewrite and equalize the faith of the entire nation. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "the Puritans believed that it was necessary to have a covenant relationship with God in order to redeem someone from their sinful condition, that God chose to reveal salvation through preaching, and that the Holy Spirit was the energizing instrument. of salvation. » An alliance is a two-way promise between two beings. Since this word is more commonly associated with religion, it generally refers to a promise between a mortal and divine being, such as God. Reform based passionately on promises can be dangerous. There is a severe consequence for those who break them or cannot keep them: "condemnation to hell" (Gettysburg). This movement had such an impact on society that it remained a subject of literary interest for authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne two hundred years later. The literature is familiar and accessible to a wide variety of readers, which acts as an effective catalyst between the history of a nation and the nation itself. This shows that literature, especially fiction, acts as a metaphor for historical events. By definition, a metaphor acts as a figurative representation of a literal object or concept. In writing this story, Hawthorne attempts to inform his readers that the question of wavering faith continues to trouble souls two hundred years after the climax of intense religious reformation. His short story, Young Goodman Brown, is shaped by metaphors and symbolism to address such an issue. In the case of the main character, his faith wavers in the face of his new puritanist beliefs. The physical journey Goodman Brown takes in his dream is representative of his spiritual journey. When the story begins, we are introduced to Goodman Brown. His name is representative of all good men (or rather those who try to be). We learn that he has been newly married to his wife, Faith, for three months. Hawthorne's decision to name Goodman's wife makes it clear to the reader that this story will provide not a simple, literal narrative, but also a symbolic, religious one (see also: the 15th-century British morality play, Everyman). Faith represents exactly that: Goodman's faith in God. He is a new convert to Puritanism, but he doubts his decision. This is why he decides to leave Faith and embark on an unknown race. He's not sure he can make a lifelong commitment. As Goodman travels through the dark forest, he falls asleep and has a dream. In this dream, he continues his quest through the forest. Soon he meets a mysterious man (the devil) who offers him his snake staff (temptation). He treats Goodman as he would an old friend, despite the fact that the two have never met before. He claims to be an old “friend” of the family. This is how the devil operates. According to most Christian religions, the devil is charismatic and seductive in his attempts to lead the faithful into darkness and uncertainty. Goodman and the man continue their expedition and encounter familiar people such as Goody Cloyse. This woman is known to be one of the most pious members of. 2015.