Analysis of Young Goodman Brown and The Lady with the Dog

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ESSAY 6 & 7
Essay One - Young Goodman Brown
Religion occupies a very central place in humanity. The trust in religious teaching is influential to many people. Religion brings people together and helps them to form communities with common beliefs. Religious leaders are at the forefront of advocating the need for followers to adhere to their teachings. Such leaders are held in high esteem among their followers, who consider them an embodiment of religious purity. Leaders act as an example for their followers and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their teachings. Even more important is the need for the professed beliefs to constitute actual actions. However, what happens when religious hypocrisy brings about double standards in religion? This essay explores religious hypocrisy through the lenses of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown."
Overtly religious people can have a dark side they do not want to disclose to others. Religion plays a major role in the day-to-day lives of individuals, often shaping their actions and determining what is right or wrong. In some instances, being overtly religious is critical for people to be accepted in a society practising certain beliefs. For instance, Brown resided in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Puritan era. At the time, religious faith was at the centre of the community's activities. For someone like Brown to be accepted in the town, he needs to be excessively religious. Indeed, Brown appears to have a strong faith in God and a close relationship with the church members. But like any other human being, Brown has a dark side that he does not wish to come into the limelight. Any religious person would like to maintain a good reputation and hence a good image of themselves, despite any evil activities they might be doing behind the scenes. Brown goes into the woods to meet the devil, not concerned about violating his religious faith, but fearing that someone may see him and learn he is a sinner (Hawthorne 2). Brown’s religious beliefs do not prevent him from exploiting his dark past.
While religious leaders are expected to uphold the highest moral standards, they can perpetrate the same violent wrongs they preach against. Religious leaders, like