Search
  • Search
  • My Storyboards
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/young-goodman-brown-by-nathaniel-hawthorne
Young Goodman Brown Lesson Plans | Goodman Brown Summary

The story “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a dark and eerie tale of one man’s fear and paranoia of evil within the world.


Student Activities for Young Goodman Brown




Essential Questions for “Young Goodman Brown”

  1. Do thoughts make someone evil, or do their actions?
  2. What are some things in life that you cannot take back?
  3. How do good authors use allegories to make their point known to their readers?

Young Goodman Brown Summary

Hawthorne uses heavy allegory to portray the idea that there is a very fine balance of good and evil in the word. The story begins when Goodman must say goodbye to his wife, Faith, to go on an errand. Faith tells Brown that she is not comfortable staying by herself and wished he would not go. However, Brown leaves without stating the purpose of the journey, yet the reader can infer that the reason is related to dark matters.

While on his way a figure, later identified as the Devil personified, accompanies him. The Devil insistently tries to coerce Brown into joining his group of converters. Despite numerous persuasive tactics, Brown refuses the Devil; until he thinks he hears Faith’s scream. Using the Devil’s staff, Brown is transported to the Devil's forest ceremony.

At the ceremony the fire lights the faces of good pious people in his community; the Deacon Gookin, Goody Cloyse, and others. Suddenly, he realizes that Faith is among them. As he tells her to resist the Devil and look towards the heavens, he is transported back through the forest alone.

The next morning, Brown returns to the village, unaware if what he experienced was real or a dream. He sees the same members of the community that were at the fire and cries out defaming them in wickedness. For the rest of his life he is changed, trusting no one, especially not his wife Faith.


Buy Hawthorne's Short Stories on Amazon


Find more lesson plans and activities like these in our English Language Arts Category!
View All Teacher Resources

Pricing for Schools & Districts

Limited Time

Introductory School Offer
Includes:
  • 1 School
  • 5 Teachers for One Year
  • 1 Hour of Virtual PD

30 Day Money Back Guarantee • New Customers Only • Full Price After Introductory Offer • Access is for 1 Calendar Year


*(This Will Start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/young-goodman-brown-by-nathaniel-hawthorne
© 2024 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office