Category Archives: Glossary

Glossary

Floundering

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Floundering (verb): to move in an awkward way with a lot of difficulty and effort: to be unsure about what to do or say: to have a lot of problems and difficulties (Merriam-Webster)

Found on Page I, paragraph 3 of The Metamorphosis–> “However hard he threw himself onto his right, he always rolled back to where he was. He must have tried it a hundred times, shut his eyes so that he wouldn’t have to look at the floundering legs, and only stopped when he began to feel a mild, dull pain there that he had never felt before.”

I believe this word in the quote means that after Gregor Samsa realize he has been transformed into an insect, he moves in a difficult way in order to get himself out of bed. Since his arms was nonfunctional anymore, he had to figure out how to use his new body, which consisted of many legs, antennas and an exceptional board body.

Here is my visual interpretation of Gregor trying to roll off his back when he was in his bed.

Dead bug
Used from MentalFloss

 

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Glossary

Murmur

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Murmur
noun mur‱mur \ˈmər-mər\
: a low sound made when many people are speaking
: a quiet expression of an opinion or feeling
: speech or a way of speaking that is quiet and soft
The word is located in paragraph [47] “he doubted whether he had heard aught but the murmur of the old forest,” meaning here, the old forest generated a low sound.

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Glossary, Week 3

Proselytes

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Proselyte is noun.

According to Merriam Webster dictionary the word proselyte means:  A new convert (as to a faith or cause).

The word proselyte was used by Nathaniel Hawthorne on page 9 of the class handout entitled, “Young Goodman Brown.”

Hawthorne wrote, “And there stood the proselytes, beneath the canopy of fire.”

Goodman Brown and a young woman whose face was covered, but whom he later realized was his beloved Faith were the proselytes.  They were the ones who were newly converted to  join the fiend, (devil) worshippers.

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Glossary, Week 3

Exhorted

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Exhorted is a transitive verb.

According to Merriam Webster dictionary exhorted means:  To try to influence (someone) by words or advice.   To strongly urge (someone) to do something.

Nathaniel Hawthorne used the word exhorted on page 5 of the class handout entitled, “Young Goodman Brown.”

Hawthorne wrote, “They continued to walk onward, while the elder traveler exhorted his companion to make good speed ….”

My understanding is that the elderly gentleman travelling with Goodman Brown was urging him to hurry so that they could get to where they were going quickly.

 

 

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Glossary, Week 3

DURST

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Durst is a verb.

According to Merriam Webster dictionary durst means:  Archaic and dialect past of dare.

In other words, durst is an old fashion way of saying dare.  It is also a way certain groups of people spoke depending on the social group they belonged to.

The word durst is used by Nathaniel Hawthorne on page six of the class handout entitled, “Young Goodman Brown.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote, “Goodman Brown alternately crouched and stood on tip-toe, pulling aside the branches, and thrusting forth his head as far as he durst, without discerning a shadow.”

Goodman Brown was making his best effort to avoid being detected in the bushes by anyone passing.  At the same time he wanted to see who was passing.  He extended his head from the bushes as far as he thought would be appropriate for him to identify who is passing without them in turn seeing him.

 

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Glossary, Week 3

PIOUS

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Pious is an adjective.

According to Merriam Webster pious means:  Marked by conspicuous religiosity, a hypocrite.   Falsely appearing to be of good moral.

The word pious is used repeatedly by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the class handout of “Young Goodman Brown.”  On page six,  Hawthorne wrote, “Once, the listener fancied that he could distinguish the accents of town’s-people of his own, men and women, born pious and ungodly….”   Also, on page eight, Hawthorne wrote about Deakon Gookin waiting  for his reverend pastor and stated, “But, irreverently consorting with these grave, reputable, and pious people.”

Goodman Brown could not at first believe he correctly recognized the voices he overheard.   These were people from his church, people whom he did holy communion with.  He could not understand why they professed to be godly but still gathered with people of bad character, some of whom were even criminals to be a part of this demonic event.    The presence of the pastor and his deacon  indicated to Goodman Brown the level of hypocrisy he was witnessing.  He did not understand why the reverend pastor, a member of the clergy and his deacon did not see how ungodly this event was and rebuke those assembled.

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Glossary

Scruples

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Scruples (Verb)

Scruple — A feeling that stops you from doing something you think is wrong.

Source; Merriam – Webster’s Dictionary

‱ This word was found in paragraph 15 on page 2.
‱ Date of class discussion: Feb 11th 2015.
‱ Title of Handout: Young Goodman Brown.

Passage: “friend,” said the other, exchanging his slow pace for a full stop, “having kept covenant by meeting thee here, it is my purpose now to return whence I came. I have scruples, touching the matter thou wot’st of.”

When reading the story Young Goodman Brown I stumbled across a word that caused some confusion in my understanding of this passage (15). The passage took place in the woods with Goodman Brown and Goody Cory making their way to their destination through a dense woodsy area. While walking through the woods it was said that Goodman had scruples. “..It is my purpose now to return whence I came. I have scruples, touching the matter thou wot’st of.” This gave no meaning to the paragraph due to my lack of knowledge of the nature of its meaning. Upon further research it was found that “scruples” is said to be the feeling you have when something simply does not seem right. This shined light upon the story by giving me the understanding that Goodman Brown was being forced to go along on the trip with Goody Cory. Another term is that he was being peer pressured into acting in a way he would genuinely prefer not to. This also shows readers from the initial portion of the story that what was awaiting them at the end of the story might be more than what they all have anticipated.

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Glossary

Melancholy

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Melancholy (noun): a sad mood or feeling (Merriam-Webster)

Found on Page 1, paragraph 6 of “Young Goodman Brown”–> “So they parted; and the young man pursued his way, until, being about to turn the corner by the meeting-house, he looked back and saw the head of Faith still peeping after him, with a melancholy air, in spite of her pink ribbons.”

I believe this word in the quote means that when Mr. Brown looked back to see his wife still watching him, he could see that her countenance was sad. Although Faith was wearing pink flowers, which symbolize life, growth, and happiness, her mood was depressing because Mr. Brown had left to go on his long journey.

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Glossary

Tarry

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Tarry (intransitive verb): 1 a: to delay or be tardy in acting or doing b: to linger in expectation : wait

2: to abide or stay in or at a place (Merriam-Webster)

Found on Page 1, paragraph 2 of “Young Goodman Brown”–>“Dearest heart,” whispered she, softly and rather sadly, when her lips were close to his ear, “pr’ythee, put off your journey until sunrise, and sleep in your own bed to-night. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts, that she’s afeard of herself, sometimes. Pray, tarry with me this night, dear husband, of all nights in the year!”

I believe this word in the quote means that Mr. Brown’s wife, Faith, did not want her husband to go out on his journey but to stay with her and spend time with her. Mr. Brown’s journey was going to be far, so Faith was wooing her husband to stay since she did not want to be left all alone.

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Glossary

Scruples

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Scruples (noun) : an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action

Source: Merriam Webster

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scruple)

Found in “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne paragraph 15

“Friend,” said the other, exchanging his slow pace for a full stop, “having kept convenant by meeting thee here, it is my purpose not to return whence I came. I have scruples, touching the matter thou wot’st of.”

Young  Goodman Brown has a journey with his companion at night, even though his wife Faith doesn’t want him to travel “this night, … of all nights in the year!” (paragraph 2) However he already meets up with his fellow-traveller and tells him that he is hesitating because he thinks this journey is not morally right.

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