Irony is a literary device that involves a contrast or discrepancy between what is expected and what actually occurs. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown," irony is used to great effect to convey the theme of the story and to create a sense of unease and ambiguity in the reader.
The story follows the titular character, Young Goodman Brown, as he embarks on a journey into the woods at night. Along the way, he meets a mysterious figure who reveals to him the true nature of the people in his community, including his own wife. The irony in this story lies in the fact that Brown has always believed himself to be a good and virtuous person, but as he progresses through his journey, he realizes that even the most seemingly good and righteous people are capable of sin and temptation.
One example of irony in the story is the fact that Brown's journey takes place at night. Night is often associated with secrecy and hiddenness, and this is certainly the case in the story, as Brown discovers the hidden sins of his community. The fact that Brown is embarking on this journey at night, when he is supposed to be asleep and safe in his bed, adds to the sense of danger and uncertainty that permeates the story.
Another example of irony in the story is the contrast between Brown's expectations and the reality of his journey. At the beginning of the story, Brown is convinced that he is embarking on a righteous and holy mission, and he is confident in his own moral rectitude. However, as he progresses through his journey, he becomes increasingly aware of the corrupt and sinful nature of the people around him, including those he thought he knew and trusted. This contrast between Brown's expectations and the reality of his journey serves to underscore the theme of the story, which is that even the most seemingly virtuous people are capable of sin and temptation.
In conclusion, Nathaniel Hawthorne's use of irony in "Young Goodman Brown" serves to convey the theme of the story and to create a sense of unease and ambiguity in the reader. Through the contrast between Brown's expectations and the reality of his journey, and the use of the nighttime setting, Hawthorne effectively illustrates the idea that even the most seemingly good and virtuous people are capable of sin and temptation.
Irony In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
Clearly Hawthorne is showing the massive hypocrisy in the midst of the Puritan elect, whilst also indicating the innate sinfulness that exists within all humanity. As well, this provides the tone and atmosphere of the story right at the beginning allowing the readers to understand the context creating their own opinions based on aspects …show more content… Goodman wants to go back and be with his good, Christian wife; however the devil tells him that she converted to worship deviltry and that she will not be the same person Goodman left her as. Brown sets off on a voyage towards the forest near his hometown. Well, this story operates on a number of different levels, and some critics argue that it can function allegorically, especially considering the names of the characters. It's sunset in colonial Salem.
To me, the biggest piece of irony in the story is that, one by one, all of the "spiritual giants" of Goodman Brown's church are shown to be in relationship with the devil, even up to and including Faith herself. It is this fact that destroys Goodman Brown's hope and faith in the elect and the redeeming power of good, and he comes back from his experience a changed man: A stern, a sad, a darkly meditative, a distrustful, if not a desperate man did he become from teh night of that fearful dream. Young Goodman Brown had seen frightful things while going through the forest, but when his faith was gone he had no one to pray to. At last brown returns home safe from all the evil things. Come, Devil; for to thee is the world given" Page 5 fourth paragraph. After his night in the forest, the irony is that Goodman Brown, the sanctimonious, self-righteous Puritan who loses his faith more than any other, perceives evil in all with which he comes into contact--Faith, the minister, the congregation, his children and grandchildren. She tells him that he should come if he doesn't believe in it and then leaves him.
Follow by a couple of devil-worshippers. Therefore irony is used to highlight the hypocrisy of the Puritan community and also establish one of the key themes of this short story - the innate sinfulness of humanity. At first, his wife, Faith, was at home which symbolizes his faith was still intact and safe: "Then God bless you! He felt as if all was bad, which made him loose faith in himself. Consider this quote: And what calm sleep would be his that very night, which was to have been spent so wickedly, but so purely and sweetly now, in the arms of Faith! Use Of Allegory In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown 376 Words 2 Pages A glimpse of evil, witchcraft, and the sudden loss of innocence. Ultimately, his motive was to convert and worship the devil because his wife left the Christian values behind and changed into someone new.
