John Barton
Ms. Quarles
English Comp 2
30 March 2025
An Analysis of Religious Hypocrisy as a Social Statement
Intro Paragraph :
Hook :
As the forest drew Goodman Brown in further, his normal life shrouded in
disillusionment was suddenly exposed : nothing was as he thought. The difference
between good and evil was as blurred as ever. And yet, what was the deeper meaning
hidden within the analysis of right and wrong?
Thesis :
Hawthorne utilizes the protagonist's relationship with his community to
highlight religious hypocrisy running rampant within the Puritan society. Highlighting
the unattainable and dangerous qualities of the ideal of moral superiority and
perfection, he reveals how unrealistic communal expectations can lead to a loss of
innocence.
Body #1 :
Societal pressure in the Puritan belief of good and evil , seen through the
eyes of Goodman’s journey, ultimately isolates individuals together, as indicative by the
lonely figures on the road. Portrayal of the wilderness as a metaphor for a place in
which repressed desires are manifested in secrecy. Hawthorne’s portrayal of the Puritan
community in Young Goodman Brown emphasizes the stark contrast between the public
display of virtue and the private indulgence in vice. This duality of public moralism and
hidden depravity reflects the inherent hypocrisy in the Puritan worldview, a theme that
pervades the narrative” (Cummings). The article dives in depth on themes of sin in
Young Goodman Brown, arguing that the author critiques both external and internal
manifestations of religious hypocrisy within the strict Puritan community.
Body #2 :
Brown’s faith and his worldview have been tested by seeing people he
respects, such as the deacon and minister, engaging in immoral behavior during a
satanic ritual. His discomfort in his visions lead to difficulty in re integration into society.
This symbolizes the cost of maintaining an all-or-nothing view of faith in community.
The dangers of hypocrisy are prevalent everywhere and can have damaging
consequences. Williams does a fantastic job of relating how Hawthorne uses religious
symbolism to the structure of Young Goodman Brown as a character to comment on the
Puritan obsession with moral purity and the psychological costs of living up to
acceptable ideals. “Goodman Brown’s journey into the woods represents not only a literal
exploration of his faith but also an inward journey into the psyche of a man who must confront
the devastating reality of his own community’s moral failings. The rigid religious expectations
imposed by Puritan society make such a confrontation inevitable, as Brown’s disillusionment
signals the destructive consequences of striving for unattainable purity” (Williams).
Conclusion : Zealotry
WORKS CITED
Cummings, Michael J. “Hawthorne's Dark Vision: The Theme of Sin in Young
Goodman Brown.” Studies in American Literature, vol. 4, no. 2, 1996, pp. 22-37.
Williams, Gregory. “The Puritan Dilemma: Faith and Hypocrisy in Hawthorne's Young
Goodman Brown.” American Literature Review, vol. 12, no. 3, 2001, pp. 55-70.
Progress Reflection : Everything in the writing process for the rough draft is going exceptionally
well. I feel as if I’ve gleaned info from my review on the first essay to condense down repetitive
ideas and sentences. Getting my idea out faster without repeating things for the reader. One
focal point to continue to work on is refining my choices for my secondary sources. I’d like the
secondary sources to add something to the story instead of giving a brief synopsis of my thesis
or topic sentence again. Really researching better quotes that add elements from the actual
writing. Including first hand sources may assist in this to provide clarification.
