Morals: The Phophets Hair and Young Goodman Brown
Morals. Where do you draw the line? Are you willing to give up something you love over some newfound morals? Maybe you wouldn't, but Goodman Brown and Hashim are willing to throw it all away. In the two stories The Prophets Hair and Young Goodman Brown, we can see how religious morals play an important role in the outcome of the story. In each of these stories, the main character has a sudden and meaningful religious experience. Although the validity of each experience is rather questionable, it brings about a real change in the attitude and actions of the main character. In the first story, the main character Hashim not a God-fearing man, but is "living honorably in the world." (Rushdie, 793) When Hashim stumbles upon the prophet Mohammad's hair this religious treasure changes him from the nice guy to a crazed, religiously moral maniac. He changes from a man of little to no faith to forcing his family to pray five times a day. The Prophet's hair makes Hashim think that he is the moral authority. He goes as far to try and cut off a man's hand, because he is delinquent with his payment. He calls this man "a thief of other men's money." (Rushdie, 796) Hashim becomes intolerant of others' moral states. His ability to reason with
In a situation like this, is the person who is morally right justified? Society has taught us that what is religiously correct is right. others is lost, because now his moral standards are so high that he cannot stand anybody else. Whether this was a trick or reality, Brown takes it to heart and it drastically changes him. Hawthorne hints, and even states outright, "But, alas! It was a dream of evil omen for young Goodman Brown" (Hawthorne, 207). In a society in which he had been happy, he is now a "distrustful, if not a desperate man" (Hawthorne, 207). He continues to lose his family by feeling the need to release the skeletons from his closet. Well Hashim was following his society's guide to morals, the Koran. His action is so immediate and drastic that it leads his family to plan behind his back how to restore the family order. His discovery only results in his own misery, and perhaps Faith's as well. We as individuals create our own ideas about what is right and wrong. Religion, especially in a religious society, lays down set rules about morals, which eliminates most confusion. Being of the Christian faith and an American this appears harsh, but maybe not so harsh to someone of the Muslim faith. In Christianity when a person accepts Christ and devotes his life to living by the Bible it is thought to be a good thing, but in this story we look down on it.
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Acceptance Essays
