ENGL 102: A Comparative Analysis of Symbolism and Irony in Two Stories

This essay provides a comparative analysis of Graham Greene's 'The Destructors' and Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'Young Goodman Brown,' focusing on the use of symbolism and irony in both stories. It argues that both authors utilize these literary devices to highlight the moral depravity of their characters. In 'The Destructors,' the symbolism reflects the post-World War II hollowness of England, while irony is evident in the background of the character Trevor. In 'Young Goodman Brown,' symbolism is used to depict the protagonist's descent into evil, and irony is present in the characters' names and actions. The essay concludes that symbolism and dramatic irony are crucial in conveying the moral decay within the narratives. Desklib offers a wide range of resources, including similar essays and study tools, to aid students in their academic pursuits.

Running head: English Essay
English Essay
Name of the Student
Name of the University
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

3ENGLISH ESSAY
The story entitled, ‘Young Goodman Brown’ written by Nathaniel Hawthorne was first
published in 1835. Symbolism is an integral part of the story. The ambience in which Goodman
Brown meets the Devil is symbolic. He meets the Devil after he passes a diversification in the
roads. This diversification of roads is symbolic because it indicates the paths to heaven or hell.
Goodman Brown chooses the latter. Also, when asked, what made him late, Goodman Brown
says that his wife Faith had kept him back for a while. This response is symbolic because his
wife whose name is Faith did keep him back from his meeting and the faith of Goodman Brown
in God also slowed him down. The person that Brown follows into the forest possesses a staff
that looks like a snake. This staff is an allusion to the Adam and Eve story wherein a snake had
led Adam and Eve to the Tree of Knowledge, paving their way for destruction just as the devil
disguised as a man is leading Goodman Brown to his complete annihilation. The devil gives
Goodman Brown the knowledge of evil, which Goodman Brown is unable to take.
Main Idea 4:
Nathaniel Hawthorne uses irony at the commencement of the story wherein Goodman Brown
fails to recognize the elderly man described as “The devil” (Prescott 564-580) Nathaniel
Hawthorne uses irony in the very names of the characters. Goodman Brown has an ironic name
as in addition to the use of the word good, his name also includes young, representing his naïveté
with life. The name of the character of Goody Cloyse, is named after a real person who was
involved in the Salem Witchcraft trials is also a symbol of irony that is used by the author. There
is also irony in the fact that the people who attend the wicked gathering in the forest are the pious
people, the very same people who goes to Church. The elderly woman who bypasses Goodman
Brown and the devil in their journey into the forest, is recognized by Goodman Brown as the
woman who taught her catechism.

4ENGLISH ESSAY
Conclusion:
Restatement of the argument: The two stories highlight the moral depravity of the
individuals. While in the first story, a group of young buys destroys the house of an elderly man,
in the second story people merge for evil purposes in the forest in the accompaniment of the
Devil.
Significance of Main Points: Symbolism and dramatic irony prevail throughout the story
and the moral depravation of the characters is brought in the fore by the use of symbols, allusions
and dramatic irony.
Concluding Statement: Thus, in conclusion one can say that it is important to be kind and
compassionate towards everybody and treat the elderly with respect. One should also not indulge
in unfair practices and keep one’s moral scruples alive.

5ENGLISH ESSAY
REFERENCES:
Croft, Jo. "From Wayward Youth to Teenage Dreamer: Between the Bedroom and the Street."
Youth Subcultures in Fiction, Film and Other Media. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. 219-
235.
Gallix, François. "Graham Greene’s Books for Children." Graham Greene Studies 1.1 (2017):
12.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Wakefield. Nathaniel Hawthorne, 2017.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Booklassic, 2015.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Charles River Editors via PublishDrive, 2018.
Melville, Herman. Hawthorne and his Mosses. Charles River Editors via PublishDrive, 2018.
Prescott, Lynda. "The short story anthology: shaping the canon." (2016): 564-580.
Stavick, J. and Wise, J.W., 2017. Graham Greene Studies, Volume 1. Graham Greene Studies,
1(1), p.1.