Comparison and Contrast of Protagonist Characters Between Young Goodman Brown and the Tell-Tale Heart

Introduction

Literature plays a critical role not only in entertaining masses but also in emulating and exposing the social degradation and devastating hypocrisy among different individuals in the contemporary world. In “Young Goodman Brown,” a short story published in 1835 by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author explores the Puritan’s ideology of depravity, condemning human existence as pure evil (Hawthorne, 1835). Additionally, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” published in 1843 by Edgar Allan Poe, connotates the evil nature that dominates the society. The two pieces of literature exclusively depict the transformation or darkness in people irrespective of their religious beliefs of mental sanity (Poe, 1843). For example, rather than showing remorse, the narrator proudly describes a sophisticated murder to prove his sanity, which depicts the malicious and wicked conduct people may engage in to prove their point, worth, or fit in (Poe, 1843). Therefore, critically comparing and contrasting the protagonist characters, Young Goodman Brown in “Young Goodman Brown,” and the narrator in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” prompt a detailed understanding of the malevolent social deterioration that dominates society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Summary of the Stories

The story “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts a young Puritan, Goodman Brown, who reluctantly leaves his newly wedded wife one night to secretly attend an evil ritual in a dark forest (Hawthorne, 1835). The life-changing experience governed by demonic forces and massive darkness alters his perception of the strict Puritan’s Faith, values, and beliefs. “Young Goodman Brown” substantially accommodates and envisions the theme of darkness and religious hypocrisy as staunch Puritan’s secretly engage in evil rituals in the dark (Hawthorne, 1835). For example, the protagonist catechism teacher and a church deacon secretly participate in witchcraft at night despite being a respectable Christian during the day (Hawthorne, 1835). Moreover, the story “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe shows a mentally challenged individual suffering from nervousness causing hyperesthesia recounts murdering an old man to rove that he is sane (Poe, 1843). The author depicts how the protagonist character, the “narrator,” plots to murder the old man with a “vulture-like” eyes despite claiming he loves him (Poe, 1843). It captures and admission of guilt after committing a perfect crime. Rather than defending innocence, the narrator strives to prove sanity by confessing to a complex murder without remorse, providing a rational explanation and narration of irrational and anti-social conduct (Poe, 1843).

Similarities on the Protagonist Characters

Moreover, the protagonist characters Young Goodman Brown in “Young Goodman Brown,” and the narrator in “The Tell-Tale Heart” depict similar characteristics. Both Goodman Brown and the narrator display a lack of rational and critical thinking as their decisions and actions bring not only harm, doubt, and discomfort but also fear, guilt, and dysfunction (Hawthorne, 1835). For example, although the protagonist character Brown in “Young Goodman Brown” is recently wedded to a beautiful and faithful wife, Faith, he irrationally abandons her one night to engage in evil rituals in the dark forest (Hawthorne, 1835). A journey that only corrupted his religious beliefs rather than building his moral principles (Hawthorne, 1835). Similarly, rather than the narrator defending his innocence, which is the only rational thing to do when accused of murder, the narrator opts to divulge the murder of an old man to prove sanity instead of innocence (Poe, 1843).

Differences between the Protagonist Characters

Consequently, the protagonist characters depict contrasting elements in their integrity, values, sensibility, and efficiency. Brown’s decision to leave the forest despite the devil’s temptations and his eventual mistrust of the community and family reveals that he upholds integrity and the values of the Puritanism (Hawthorne, 1835). The fundamental Puritan values that Brown upholds are honesty and responsibility (Hawthorne, 1835). The narrator, however, is dishonest and self-centered (Poe, 1843). He always calls to the old man to check how he slept when he also plans to kill him (Poe, 1843). Finally, he kills the old man because he dislikes his appearance, and he would not like to see him anymore (Poe, 1843).

Furthermore, Brown is sensitive to the evil doings of the people in his action and goes on to lose their trust (Hawthorne, 1835). After realizing the hypocritic nature of people and his community, the question the very nature of his Puritan belief and community (Hawthorne, 1835). On the contrary, the narrator is relatively insensitive. The narrator does not feel guilty of lying to people, even to the police, to prove his innocence (Poe, 1843). Although he is mad, he articulates a gothic story of a perfect murder crime to prove he is sane (Poe, 1843). He confesses to the murder of the older man without feeling remorse. He even feels proud of planning such an anti-social and deliquescent act, claiming that “a madman cannot plan” (Poe, 1843). Additionally, Brown proves to be efficient as he is not only dedicated to upholding Christianity but also has the purpose of remaining on the right path (Hawthorne, 1835). The narrator, however, lacks focus and purpose in life. Based on the actions illustrated, the narrator is paranoid and wrecked, and thus ineffective (Poe, 1843).

Conclusion

Conclusively, the protagonist characters, Goodman Brown, and the narrator show similar elements in their irrational decision-making. They both engage in non-sensible activities such as admitting to crime to prove sanity and abandoning family to engage in an evil ritual in a dark forest. Nonetheless, they also have differences. For example, Brown has integrity and is sensible while the narrator is dishonest, self-centered, and insensible.

References

Hawthorne, N. (1835). Young Goodman Brown. Mosses from an Old Manse.

Poe, E. A. (1843). The tell-tale heart. James Russell Lowell.