The Deeper Meanings of Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay -- Young

The Deeper Meanings of Young Goodman Brown "Young Goodman Brown," a story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, should be interpreted on a psychoanalytical level rather than a religious one. It is my observation that "Young Goodman Brown" may very well be the first published work alluding to divisions of the mind and personality theory. Although religion is a direct theme throughout the story, "Young Goodman Brown" appears to be an allegory with deeper meanings. To explore properly my position concerning the dynamics of "Young Goodman Brown," it is necessary to understand Freud's structural model. The development of Freud's structural model presents an understanding of the struggles between the conscious and unconscious forces of the mind. The structural model indicates three powerful forces that dictate conscious behavior, or binders of reality. These three forces consist of the id, superego, and ego. When Young Goodman Brown begins his journey down the path of the haunted forest, he quickly meets a fellow-traveler that I interpret as the irrational guide lurking inside himself. The guide repeatedly urges Goodman Brown to continue the errand despite Brown's overwhelming reluctance; he assures him that "[W]e are but a little way in the forest yet" (Hawthorne 274). The traveler demonstrates a subconscious part of the psyche called the id. The id is that part of the psyche that is driven by pleasure and irrational wishing. The guide's insistence never seems to be in Brown's best interest. The traveler's motive was to do what feels good at the time, not putting into account any potential ramification that could result, which in this story turns out to be the loss of Goodman Brown's wife, Faith. His reckless behavior is ap... ...ind may be found within Hawthorne's story. If the reader will only look past its literal interpretation and explore the rich symbols and hidden meanings laden throughout the text, she or he will be rewarded with a work of fiction that was way before its time. Works Cited Carpenter, Richard. "Hawthorne's Polar Explorations: Young Goodman Brown and My Kinsman, Major Molineux." Nineteenth Century Fiction 24 (1969): 45-56. Gay, Peter. Freud: A Life for Our Time. New York: Doubleday, 1989. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "Young Goodman Brown." Literature Reading Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Essay. Ed. Robert DiYanni. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw & Hill, 1998. 272-280. Hurley, Paul. "Young Goodman Brown's 'Heart of Darkness.'" American Literature 37 (1966): 410-419. Paulits, Walter. "Ambivalence in 'Young Goodman Brown.'" American Literature 41 (1970): 577-584.

China’s Three Philosophies Essay

China has one of the longest histories in ancient world history. As civilization developed, so did ideas about religion, knowledge, values, society, and the world. Three of the most famous ones were the Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. There are many different and similar ideas in these three philosophies. Confucianism has many characteristics and ideas for life and social order. It came from the teachings of a Chinese philosopher named Confucius, or Kongzi. His students recorded all his teachings in a book called the Analects, which mainly focused on social and family relationships (4). Confucius believed that respect for others was necessary for peace within society. Confucius thought that human nature is morally neutral, and it is peoples’ choices in their later lives that determine if they are good or bad (1). Two of Confucius’s students, Mencius and Xunzi, argued about whether humans are born good or evil. Mencius believed that humans are inevitably good (1). If one is bad, or â€Å"lacks a mind that knows right and wrong,† one would not even be considered human (1). Xunzi’s ideas were more similar to Legalists, who thought that humans were naturally evil. Confucius believed that everyone had his/her own Dao, the way to proper behavior (3). If everyone followed his/her Dao, and were respectful to others, social order would follow. Legalism had very different ideas from Confucianism. Instead of respect for others, Legalists believed that strict laws and harsh punishments were the key to social order. What’s different from Xunzi’s ideas and Legalism was that Legalists thought humans were born evil (4), while Xunzi thought that humans may be born good, but will always turn out bad (1). Legalists disagreed with many of Confucius’s ideas. For example, they didn’t think that the universe has a moral core and everything will end up good. Legalists thought that only firm action with strict laws from the government would bring social order (3). Legalists also disagreed with the Confucianists view of how society’s problems could be solved by a government with â€Å"superior men†, and wanted laws that made people afraid to do wrong, instead (3). Daoism (or Taoism) was founded by LaoZi (Old Master). Scholars don’t know for sure if he really existed or not. The Daodejing recorded all of his teachings. Unlike Confucianism and Legalism, Daoists care more about natural order than social order (4). They thought that the government should just leave people alone. They believe that if people can live in harmony with nature and their inner feelings, social order will naturally come (4). Daoists thought that arguments about right or wrong are pointless and people should just accept things as they are (4). Like Confucianism, Daoists also had to follow their own individual Dao, or way, though the concepts are a bit different. They believe that one must find their individual Dao to relate to nature and each other (4). Another important aspect of Daoism is the Yin and Yang. It is the concept of how there is no dark without light, and no light without dark. An excerpt from the Daodejing says â€Å"when they all know the good as good, there arises the recognition of evil† (2). Confucianists thought that that people had to work hard to make earth a better place, while Daoists thought that its isn’t action but inaction and letting nature take its course that will help people achieve harmony with the universe and to find the will of Heaven (3). Although there are many differences between Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, there are also many similarities. They all want to have social order, though through different ways. All the philosophies’ ideas were recorded in a book. For Confucianism it’s the Analects. For Daoism it’s the Daodejing, and even though Xunzi was a Confucianist, his book, The Book of Xunzi, talks about Legalism ideas. Daoism and Confucianism both believe that each person has an individual Dao to follow. These three philosophies of ancient China have its own interesting characteristics and ideas. Although they have many differences, the three different philosophies are tied together by one goal: to have peace in society. These philosophies guided rulers in ancient China and helped them achieve social order. Even now, thousands of years later, you can still see some of their characteristics in the modern world. Bibliography The Essential World History pg. 63 â€Å"A Debate Over Good and Evil† The Essential World History pg. 64 â€Å"The Daoist Answer to Confucianism† The Essential World History pg 61-64 World History: Ancient to Modern Times Chapter 6 Section 2 (pg. 153-157).

The Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy People With Substance Abuse Problems Free Essay Example, 3000 words

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy evolved from two therapeutic disciplines namely Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Therapy (Shinebourne lecture, 2010). Behaviour Therapy was strongly influenced by the behaviourist movement in Psychology, particularly the Classical Conditioning theories of Pavlov and the Learning Theories by Thorndike and Skinner. Behaviourism was developed as a reaction against the prevailing Freudian psychoanalysis which focused on the workings of the mind, inclusive of the conscious, pre-conscious, unconscious and the concepts of id, ego and superego. It also put much emphasis on childhood experiences. It explains that most of the adult personality, coping and defence mechanisms are results of experiences that brought about strong emotions during childhood (Freudian lecture, 2010). However, behaviourism questioned Freud s Psychoanalysis scientific basis and lack of empirical evidence. Also, behaviour therapy did not consider mental processes such as thoughts, belief s, interpretations, imagery, etc. It was realized that behaviour and emotions are also strongly influenced by cognitions such as the thoughts, beliefs and interpretations that people make (Shinebourne lecture, 2010). Hence, the fusion of behaviourist and cognitive principles became Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Aaron Beck claims that much of our psychological problems are caused by cognitive distortions due to our acknowledged human fallibility. We will write a custom essay sample on The Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: People With Substance Abuse Problems or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Aaron Beck claims that much of our psychological problems are caused by cognitive distortions due to our acknowledged human fallibility. In depressed people, these belief systems, or assumptions, develop from negative early experiences such as the loss of a parent, rejection from peers, an unrelenting succession of tragedies, criticism from teachers, parents or peers, or even the depressed behaviour of a parent. These negative experiences lead to the development of dysfunctional beliefs about the world, which are triggered by critical incidents in the future. (Field, 2000). Beck (1987) came up with the concept of negative cognitive triad that describes the pattern that triggers depression. In the first component of the triad, the client exhibits a negative view of himself.