Introduction Consider Foster’s chapter “Every Trip Is a Quest.” In all three of the stories read this week, our protagonists are on quests.

Introduction

Consider Foster’s chapter “Every Trip Is a Quest.” In all three of the stories read this week, our protagonists are on quests. Poe’s protagonists’ quests have far more to do with the execution of a plan than they do with actual travel. When it comes to Hawthorne and “The Young Goodman Brown,” an actual journey is underway. 

Initial Post Instructions

Look back over the ideas Foster puts forward as essential to any quest and select one Poe story along with Hawthorne’s tale. Analyze the stories using Foster’s list of essential ingredients. As you do so, there are a number of sub-questions you may want to take into account:

• Is Foster’s list of what is required sufficient?
• Does a story need to meet all of his requirements to be successful?
• Are there elements in the stories covered this week that Foster has overlooked? If so, what do you think should be added to the list and what title would you give this additional ingredient?