The Tale of Young Goodman Brown versus The Rocking Horse Winner

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The tale of Young Goodman Brown,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and the “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” by D. H. Lawrence are stories that use internal monologue, and symbolism to bring the reader inside the mind of its characters, exposing complicated inner battles of good and evil. Both authors use distorted reality as a metaphor for mental and spiritual chaos, confusion, and death as an inescapable consequence of sin. The fragile nature of man is made known in the intimate thoughts and struggles shared through the internal monologues of Hester and Paul in the “Rocking-Horse Winner.” D. H. Lawrence introduces Hester’s as a central character, exposing her innermost feelings, reflections of her thoughts confirm a tortured soul plagued with negativity and self-blame about who she was as a person and a mother. Hester’s materialistic and worldly attitude is consistently distracted by her insatiable desire for things speak to a void and emptiness much like her son Paul. The other characters are flat, the father is unlucky, therefore insignificant, the Uncle Oscar is like his sister, an opportunists and Basset may be the only one who genuinely cared for Paul. The other main character in this story is complex and only described as whispers, odd sounds, strange looks, and actions. This is the demonic spirit that possesses Hester, and later Paul, the rocking horse, the house, and toys (Kennedy, 2013, p. 236). The spirit is given life through Hester and Paul’s thoughts, actions, and emotions. The increase in instance and loudness of the whispers of the house denotes the growing strength and power of the spirit. Paul has the most motivation, although innocent at first, he grows more vulnerable with age, as his desire to satisfy his mother increases. ... ... middle of paper ... ... heart of the dark wilderness, still rushing on with the instinct that guides mortal men to evil” (Kennedy & Cioia, 2013, pg. 96). Matthew 7:14 reads, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (King James Version). Hawthorne wrote of choices, and he gave the reader choices. In conclusion, both stories symbolize the duality of a fallen world, and the sinful nature of man. Overall, the characters are complicated but the stories are not. Both stories mimic the same deception satan used in the Garden of Eden. Accordingly, the symbolism is simplistic darkness, and light, choices and consequences. The search for more ends in less. It did for Young Goodman, Hester, and Paul. The one constant thing is the infallible Word of God that promises, ONLY is Christ is there the peace and satisfaction each one sought.

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