Comparison of Symbolism and Irony in 'The Destructors' and 'Young Goodman Brown'

Running head: English Essay
English Essay
Name of the Student
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Author Note

1ENGLISH ESSAY
Introductory Statement: A comparison between the two short stories, ‘The
Destructors’ written by Graham Greene and the story ‘Young Goodman Brown’ written by
Nathaniel Hawthorne in terms of symbolism and irony.
Thesis: The essay will compare the two short stories ‘The Destructors’ by Graham Greene
and ‘Young Goodman Brown’ by focusing on the symbolism in the two short stories as well as
on the use of dramatic irony by the authors and highlight the moral depravity in the characters.
Summary of Main Ideas:
1. Symbolism in the story reflects the hollowness that accompanies England in the wake of the
bombing after the Second World War
2. Use of Irony in the story ‘The Destructors’ by Graham Greene.
3. Use of Symbolism in the story ‘Young Goodman Brown’ by Nathaniel Hawthorne
4. Dramatic Irony employed in the story ‘Young Goodman Brown’ by the author Nathaniel
Hawthorne.
Main Idea:1
The short story entitled ‘The Destructors’ written by Graham Greene was published in Britain in
1954. The use of symbolism in the story conveys the sense of hollowness that accompanied
England in the wake of the bombing after the Second World War (Croft 219-235). The meeting
of the gang in the bombed out parking lot is pertinent for their meeting place is a site of
destruction. The destructive sounds in the story symbolize the ability of a person to adapt. In the
course of the story, the ability to listen and understand a sound signifies a character’s ability to

2ENGLISH ESSAY
move forward from that source of destruction and embrace a new world. Blackie’s declaration to
have heard the bombing of houses reflects the fact that he has understood the world and the way
it operates. Whereas, the inability of Mr. Thomas to correctly identify the sounds while he is in
the lavatory, symbolizes his inability to come to terms with the world, to forego what has been
lost and build something anew.
Top hats symbolize the archaic values of the upper class sections of society in post World
War society in England and the attitude of the others sections of society towards those upper
class values (Gallix 12). The top hat is an archaic affectation. Rather than keeping the head
warm, top hats shows that the wearer knows the rules of formal wear, a knowledge that has little
value in post war England. To the working classes of society, the top hat’s conical shape is a sign
of underserved prestige and unearned privilege and should be knocked off the wearer’s head. Or,
in the case of the house of Mr.Thomas, pulled down and completely destroyed. Irony in the story
is reflected in Trevor’s background.
Main Idea: 2
The gang despises the upper and middle classes of society as they have wealth and considers
themselves superior to everybody else. This is ironic in the case of Trevor, because he is really
despising his own self for he comes from an affluent background and his parents are erudite who
encourage him to pursue his goals.
A line in the story goes, “They worked with the seriousness of creators” which is ironic because
the boys are actually not creating something, rather they are destroying the house of Mr.Thomas,
his home.
Main Idea: 3