Introduction

“There is no Frigate like a book to take us lands away nor any coursers like a page of prancing Poetry.” - Emily Dickinson //(1830-1886) American poet.//

media type="custom" key="12911244"Great Literature stands on its own. It can transcend time with lofty ideals or a universal message, or perhaps just tell a great story. Throughout history, many have sought ways to more meticulously analyze the significance of great works of literature, creating a sundry of literary theories that not only provide invaluable incite, but may also open new avenues of interpretation. With this in mind, the purpose of this project is to expand ones understanding of two particularly commanding works of literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”, and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias”. This will be done by identifying the various archetypal elements within “Young Goodman Brown”. “Ozymandias” will be analyzed using formalism to amplify the meaning found within several structural elements of the poem. In addition to the analyses, the historical content and context of the works will also be explored. A brief biography of each author has been included.