Young Goodman Brown

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Young Goodman Brown: Tone 1 key example

Definition of Tone

The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:

The tone of "Young Goodman Brown" is formal and somber, particularly in its use of elevated, despairing language and frightening descriptions of nature.

The story begins with a sense of foreboding, as the sun is about to set on Salem, and Goodman Brown is heading out on an unspecified journey that makes his wife afraid. After she begs him to stay, he reflects:

"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 to- night.