Young Goodman Brown Community Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)

Quote #4

"Can this be so!" cried Goodman Brown, with a stare of amazement at his disturbed companion. "Howbeit, I have nothing to do with the governor and council; they have their own ways, and are no rule for a simple husbandman like me. But were I to go on with thee, how should I meet the eye of that good old man, our minister, at Salem village? Oh, his voice would make me tremble, both Sabbath-day and lecture-day." (20-21)

Young Goodman Brown is afraid that he won't be able to face his community if he follows the traveler. The irony is, he can't face them anyway—but because of their sin, not his. Hey, sometimes it really is easier just to go along with the crowd.

Quote #5

"They tell me that some of our community are to be here from Falmouth and beyond, and others from Connecticut and Rhode Island, besides several of the Indian powwows, who, after their fashion, know almost as much deviltry as the best of us. Moreover, there is a goodly young woman to be taken into communion." (43)

This "meeting" overturns the criteria of region and race that normally separate Salemites from Rhode Islanders, and colonists from Indians. It's like a Coke commercial, but (slightly) more evil.

Quote #6

At least there were high dames well known to her, and wives of honored husbands, and widows, a great multitude, and ancient maidens, all of excellent repute, and fair young girls, who trembled lest their mothers should espy them. Either the sudden gleams of light flashing over the obscure field bedazzled Goodman Brown, or he recognized a score of the church members of Salem village famous for their especial sanctity. Good old deacon Gookin had arrived, and waited at the skirts of that venerable saint, his revered pastor. (56-57)

Even though everyone's meeting for a middle-of-the-night evil party, Hawthorne's narrator identifies them by their daytime good deeds. Reputation is a powerful thing.