Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street at Salem village; but put his head back, after crossing the threshold, to exchange a parting kiss with his young wife. And Faith, as the wife was aptly named, thrust her own pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap while she called to Goodman Brown.You can listen to it here:
"Dearest heart," whispered she, softly and rather sadly, when her lips were close to his ear, "prithee put off your journey until sunrise and sleep in your own bed to-night. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts that she's afeard of herself sometimes. Pray tarry with me this night, dear husband, of all nights in the year."
"My love and my Faith," replied young Goodman Brown, "of all nights in the year, this one night must I tarry away from thee. My journey, as thou callest it, forth and back again, must needs be done 'twixt now and sunrise. What, my sweet, pretty wife, dost thou doubt me already, and we but three months married?"
"Then God bless youe!" said Faith, with the pink ribbons; "and may you find all well whn you come back."
"Amen!" cried Goodman Brown. "Say thy prayers, dear Faith, and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee."
So they parted; and the young man pursued his way until, being about to turn the corner by the meeting-house, he looked back and saw the head of Faith still peeping after him with a melancholy air, in spite of her pink ribbons.
"Poor little Faith!" thought he, for his heart smote him. "What a wretch am I to leave her on such an errand! She talks of dreams, too. Methought as she spoke there was trouble in her face, as if a dream had warned her what work is to be done tonight. But no, no; 't would kill her to think it. Well, she's a blessed angel on earth; and after this one night I'll cling to her skirts and follow her to heaven."
With this excellent resolve for the future, Goodman Brown felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose.
It was adapted as a short film in 1972, but I don't see that online. This 2015 music video is based on the story:
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I don't think I've read this. I think the only work of Hawthorne's that I read a couple 2 or 3 times is The Scarlet Letter. I've also visited Salem, Massachusetts and took a tour through the House of the Seven Gables another of his works.
ReplyDeleteI've read Scarlet Letter and House of Seven Gables. Tours through those sites would be fascinating! I can highly recommend his short stories :)
DeleteInteresting storyline and the old English dialogue from 1835 is fascinating too 😁. Have a great day! J 😊 x
ReplyDeleteI liked that the language had that old "sound" but was still perfectly readable. I think the story has aged well.
DeleteSounds intriguing, I've put it on the list! Valerie
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it :)
DeleteI actually remember reading this years ago. So glad you reminded me about it, because I really enjoy anything by Hawthorne.
ReplyDeleteI had a book of Hawthorne short stories way back when but passed it on at some point. He had some readable tales, didn't he!
DeleteI wonder if people really spoke this way. They must have I guess. Those old Puritans who have left behind so many "habits" in this part of the world. I've read a couple of Nathaniel Hawthorne books-the Scarlet Letter and the House of 7 Gables books, but strangely since I am from Massachusetts originally, I can't say I loved them. Maybe I need to reread them now. Happy Friday. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking House of Seven Gables was the most dreadfully boring story I'd ever read in high school, and I never gave it another chance. Life is short ;)
DeleteI remember reading this many years ago. Not a fan of Hawthorne really or any of the Puritanical group. It's only interesting to me in the historical context. Their judgments and fears. Their distrust of women and anyone who doesn't believe as they do in general. What a dreadful time and place to live. Sadly humans never seem to change much on the whole, but some times were darker than others. (*she says listening to the news*) LOL!
ReplyDeleteWho needs horror films when we're living through such days as these, right?
DeleteI think Hawthorne has an interesting insight into the issues you bring up, though, and so he can be read during any period when the judgmental holier-than-thou crowd comes into power.