Lt. Jimmy Cross and Young Goodman Brown Unexpected Changes

Often stories are magical and uplifting. Yet just as often, tales are tragic, downtrodden, or simply realistically portrayed. Also, on rare occasions, stories are a conglomerate of devices, messages, and harrowing trials that give a little of everything while continuing on in an almost certainly volatile direction. There are two such stories, by two different authors, which utilize this style. In, “The Things They Carried,” by Tim O’Brien, there begins a seemingly innocent portrayal of protagonist Lt. Jimmy Cross. He is not so dissimilar from protagonist Young Goodman Brown, from the story by the same name, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although many similarities can be found in their rising actions, climaxes, and right through to their denouements, they are perhaps most similar in their expositions. The differences are striking, but inevitably both stories conclude with a similar point. Countless reasons cause great and terrible changes in people, often unexpectedly.

Both protagonists are initially virtuous, simple, and unbroken. Goodman Brown and his wife are described as young and newly married. This shows in Brown’s quick pivot to kiss Faith farewell, and in her longing gaze with ribbons waving adieux (Hawthorne 553-4). The couple hoping for an expeditious and safe return, yet both feeling perturbed. Lt. Cross does not begin carefree, but he is filled with a hopeful longing. His hope is based on Martha’s unrequited love. Cross appears deft at compartmentalizing what is and what is not currently relevant. Martha’s letters carry him through the days’ obligations while he awaits nightfall and time to read them (O’Brien 684-685). He is unconcerned with her lack of affection, which reveals a childlike mind. This implies that, ...

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...duly recognized as complete self devastation due to the depravity he now sees in everyone. Cross likely expected some type of metamorphosis when going away to combat. Brown on the other hand was probably expecting a much more benign shift—if any. Both stories fabulously depict the unexpected variances and changes in mortal human lives. People may try to prepare for life’s onslaught of tribulations, but no one is able to foresee every possibility and effect.

Works Cited:

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “Young Goodman Brown.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction,

Poetry, and Drama. Ed. Emily Barrosse. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 684-696.

Print.

O’Brien, Tim. “The Things They Carried.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction,

Poetry, and Drama. Ed. Emily Barrosse. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 553-562.

Print.