Coffeehouse #2 by Thomas Tracy

These first six short stories have been an exciting introduction to the genre. I would not have imagined that such short reads would ever provoke lengthly conversation within my own head. However, that is exactly what has occurred. Each story, intriguing me in so many ways, has made it difficult to choose a favorite. “Young Goodman Brown,” was for me the most exciting and fascinating story as of yet. The use of symbolism and foreshadowing was really cool. Hawthorne’s use of the name “Faith” and innocence of the faithful, was aptly portrayed by the “pink ribbons” in her hair. It was impactful at the end of the story when Brown is coming to the realization of all the evil in this world and claims, “My Faith is gone!” and the pink ribbon fluttering to the ground. There is a true sadness when in life you realize that what you believed to be, or how you thought something was, is suddenly shown to be something else. I know in my own life a time when what I thought was the case was sharply and suddenly shown to be something else. I enjoyed reading this for many reasons. One of the reasons that really stood out to me was how Hawthorne kept me on the edge of my seat as to what Brown will encounter next and how will Brown try and keep his resolve to push on the journey. There is an innocence in him as well that seems to be slowly squeezed out of him with each person he meets along the path. It really spoke to me this story. Hawthorne uses this dream encounter as a way for Brown to see people unlike he had been seeing them before. Showing that there are two sides to everybody, the side they want you and others to see and their true self. Browns innocence is gone at the end and he can no longer find happiness in his faith. This left me very sad. It is rare for a story to catch me and really take hold so emotionally. This is why this one was my favorite.