Young Goodman Brown

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…This short story initially deceives, then shocks the reader into the realization of the dynamics of scapegoating. Its value lies in this narrative technique which dramatically engages the reader in the textual process such that the reader participates in the act of scapegoating through identification with the townspeople. At the same time as the reader comes to this realization, they are struck by the perils of too early closure on the interpretation of a narrative.