“Young Goodman Brown†as a Failed Sexual Initiation Rite: An African Reader’s Response

Njeng Eric Sipyinyu
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Njeng Eric Sipyinyu: English Department, The University of Yaounde 1

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 6, 2223-2229

Abstract: Teaching “Young Goodman Brown†is always a fascinating and challenging experience. Students question the story’s motive and whether the experiences are real. Brown does not just dream them up, for his journey is real. He leaves the village on one day and returns the next day. Dreams don’t take us out of our sleep in the same way. Then, the question arises as to why Goodman Brown left his wife for the forest. This paper is my response to these questions I have been confronted with over these twenty years. We shall then examine the relationship between the devil and the other characters to make the point that the story is about a failed initiation into sexuality. Brown marries but is unsure of what to do with his wife. His family invites the couple to be initiated into the sexual experience. While Faith, like Eve in the Bible, is ready for her role as female progenitor, Brown is reluctant and, therefore, is doomed to a life of melancholy.

Date: 2025
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