Use of Imagery at Young Goodman BrownAccording to A Handbook of Critical Approaches, the formalist approach is one "with a methodology." The formalist approach requires a critic to examine the structure, or form, of a literary work. For example, studying the imagery of a literary work can make the theme more apparent. “The images appear to be more and more important…certain images, or colors…keep coming back…. Little by little, we think we're starting to see a theme emerge from the work. (Guérin, 74-75). Young Goodman Brown is the story of an innocent young man who becomes aware of the imperfections and flaws of the world and its inhabitants, including himself. This knowledge is very painful and shocking to young Goodman Brown, just as it was to the prisoners in Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The imagery used in Young Goodman Brown amplifies the theme of loss of innocence. Images of the sunset, a journey, and several others appear throughout the story to amplify the theme of young Goodman Brown. For example, at the beginning of the story, young Goodman Brown leaves his wife Faith at sunset to go on a trip that I can't wait for. The images of a sunset and the approaching night illustrate the fear of the unknown. Goodman Brown must travel through darkness before reaching the light of knowledge, just as the prisoners in the Allegory of the Cave must leave the dark cave to reach the light. As the story continues, Hawthorne uses the image of a "dreary road, obscured by all the darkest trees of the forest" to heighten the fear of the unknown. Goodman Brown has left the comfort of the cave of confusion and begins to discover the imperfections of the world and its inhabitants. A teacher, who had “the indescribable air of one who knew the world,” led Goodman Brown out of the cave. His teacher continually leads him on the path to enlightenment despite Goodman Brown's attempts "to go back to where I came from." Goodman Brown learns that people are not perfect and that “good” people sometimes do “bad” things. People Goodman Brown considers perfect, like the governor and his Sunday school teacher, are exposed as imperfect people who lie, cheat, and steal using images of a stolen broom and the promise of being the queen of hell..