Allegorical Components in \"Rip Van

Allegorical Components in "Rip Van Winkle" and "Young Goodman Brown"

Nathaniel Hawthorne and Washington Irving integrate elements of non-realistic fiction and allegory successfully with stories that reveal human nature. The fantastical elements in "Rip Van Winkle" and "Young Goodman Brown," allow each author to reveal the truth that change is inevitable and how that change impacts humanity. The dynamics of time and change become surreal as the protagonists in each tale force us to face certain realities concerning the nature of man. Van Winkle wants to escape and Brown wants to know. These are powerful human desires that often lead to difficulty. We learn that mankind is fragile and rarely considers the consequences of his actions.

In "Rip Van Winkle," Irving demonstrates the nature of man through the absurd aspect of the protagonist taking an extremely long nap. Time becomes the tool in which Irving demonstrates his message about human nature. Van Winkle's tale might be far-fetched but its message is clear. Van Winkle's desire to leave his old life is achieved and, while it is absurd, it is remarkably believable. When Van Winkle returns to familiar places, he discovers new things that startle his senses. The people he encounters walking to where he believes his home to be are "none of whom he knew, which somewhat surprised him, for he thought himself acquainted with everyone in the country round" (Irving 213). He realizes his home had given way to "decay -- the roof fallen in, the windows shattered, and the doors off the hinges" (213). Furthermore, his preferred tavern was a "large, rickety wooden building" (213). These dark, depressing scenes work to establish a sense of realism within an unrealistic environment. Irvin's intent is to convince the reader of his description of man not necessarily Van Winkle's adventure. Van Winkle was a man out of time and while he was accepted in this new world, he was not comfortable within it. He might have received his wish but that wish cost him 20 years.

In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne allows us to look at the frail nature of man through Brown's curious nature. He wants to know what is happening in the woods and does not stop to think of the unintended consequences. He does not know what to think when he stumbles upon the scene in the forest. The sight of respectable citizens partaking in a satanic ritual makes Brown feel "overburdened with the heavy sickness of his heart" (Hawthorne 594). He looses faith in man and, subsequently, faith in God, wondering if there was a "heaven above him" (594). He vows to "stand firm against the devil" (294) despite everything but the knowledge of his wife in the forest proves to be more than he can bear. Hawthorne utilizes the aspect of change to demonstrate the fragile human psyche.