Use of Imagery in Young Goodman BrownAccording to A Handbook of Critical Approaches, the formalist approach is one "with a methodology." The formalist approach requires a critic to examine the structure, or form, of a literary work. For example, studying images of a literary work can make the theme more apparent. “Images emerge as increasingly important… certain images, or colors… continue to appear…. Gradually, on a formal level, we think we're starting to see a theme emerge from the work. (Guerin, 74-75). Young Goodman Brown is the story of an innocent young man who realizes the imperfections and flaws of the world and its people, including himself. This knowledge is very painful and shocking to young Goodman Brown, just as the knowledge was painful to the prisoners in Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The imagery used in Young Goodman Brown amplifies the theme of the loss of innocence. Images of sunset and a journey and many more appear throughout the story to amplify the theme of Young Goodman Brown. For example, at the beginning of the story, Young Goodman Brown leaves his wife Faith at sunset to go on a journey that he is looking forward to. The images of sunset and approaching night illustrate the fear of the unknown. Goodman Brown must travel through the darkness before reaching the light of knowledge just as the prisoners in Allegory of the Cave must travel from the dark cave to reach the light. As the story continues, Hawthorne uses the image of a “dreary road, darkened by all the dreariest trees in the forest” to heighten the fear of the unknown. Goodman Brown has left the comfort of the cave of confusion and is beginning to discover the imperfections of the world and its people. A teacher, who had "the indescribable air of knowing the world," leads Goodman Brown out of the cave. His teacher continually guides him along the path to enlightenment despite Goodman Brown's attempts to "go back to where I came from." Goodman Brown learns that people aren't perfect and that "good" people sometimes do "bad" things. People Goodman Brown deems perfect, like the governor and his Sunday school teacher, are exposed as flawed people who lie, cheat, and steal using images of a stolen broom and the promise of being the queen of Hell..