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Young Goodman Brown Allegory and Symbolism

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Young Goodman Brown Symbolism and Allegory

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Activity Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Rubric

Activity Overview

When studying allegorical texts, it is important that students understand the concept as a foundation for the reading. An allegory is like an extended metaphor, where elements of the story are symbolic of a deeper meaning. Since allegories are works that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning (usually moral or political), it is important that students engage not only with the surface details, but with this deeper level as well.

In “Young Goodman Brown”, Hawthorne uses each character to represent an extended metaphor for the balance between heaven and hell, goodness and evil, and even his loss of faith. By using a storyboard, students can visually depict each of these symbols.

Symbols: Young Goodman Brown Analysis

Goodman Brown

This story is meant to be an allegorical reference to Adam and Eve and the fall of man. As Brown is tempted by the stranger with the serpent’s staff, his curiosity and the Devil's trickery get the better of him. Brown knows he should stay away from the ceremony in the forest, but the temptation to know if Faith was there or not became too great for him. By going to the ceremony, Brown gains knowledge that changes him for the worst and causes him to lose faith in humanity.

Faith

In the story, Faith is Brown’s wife. When we first see her, Hawthorne makes note of a pink ribbon in her hair; a symbol of her innocence. As Brown makes his journey throughout the forest, he continually uses “Faith” as his motivation to stay true. However, when he hears Faith’s voice, which he presumes is heard from the Devil’s ceremony, he rushed forward. This time we see Faith ‘cloaked’; when the hoods of the inductees are lifted, Brown learns that his “Faith” is gone. As he looks around and sees numerous community members, including his wife, consorting with the Devil, he metaphorically and literally loses his wife and his religious faith.

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows examples of allegory in "Young Goodman Brown".

Identify instances of allegory in the text.
Depict and describe the example of allegory from the text on the left side.
Depict and describe the reference to the larger issue or event on the right side.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Allegory

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Rubric

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Allegory

Allegories rely on extensive symbolic meaning to convey their messages. Create a storyboard that tracks the allegorical references in the text and links them to their real-world examples. For each allegory, create a scene that depicts the original example of how it appears in the text, along with a quote and some background information. Then, create a scene that depicts the real-world example of that allegory. In a short analysis, discuss the impact of the allegory on the deeper meaning of the work as a whole.

	Proficient 20 Points	Emerging 17 Points	Beginning 13 Points	Try Again 10 Points
Allegory Identification and Completion	The allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory.	Most of the allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory.	Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or some of the major/important allegories in the text are not addressed. Quotes or summaries may not be provided for all of the identified allegories.	Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or the major/important allegories may be missing, or the allegories provided are too limited to score. Quotes or summaries may be missing or too limited to score.
Real-World Examples Identification and Completion	The real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, showing a thoughtful correlation between the two.	Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, and show a correlation between the two.	Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are incorrect.	Most of the real-world examples connected to the allegories are missing or too limited to score.
Analysis of Allegory and Real-World Example	Analysis of allegories and real-world examples explores a connection between the two that adds insight to the understanding of the text as a whole.	Analysis of allegories and real-world examples shows a connection between the two. There is a basic discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole.	Some analysis of allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, or incorrect. There is an attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole.	Most of the analysis of the allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, incorrect, or too limited to score. There is no attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole.
Artistic Depictions	The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples are historically appropriate to both the allegory, the work of literature, and the real-world example. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction.	The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction.	Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort.	Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction.
English Conventions	Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading.	Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading.	Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading.	Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading.

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