Final answer:
In 'Young Goodman Brown,' trust in youth symbolizes innocence, reflecting Romanticism's emphasis on emotions and purity. Youth is linked with naive beliefs, which are challenged in the protagonist's journey, leading to a loss of innocence. Option 1 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown, the connection between Romanticism and trust in youth is primarily illustrated by symbolizing innocence.
Romanticism often emphasized intense emotions and the innocence of youth, which in the case of Goodman Brown, is represented through his initial naive belief in the goodness of his fellow townspeople and his own moral integrity.
Goodman Brown's trust is a central theme, particularly at the story's beginning when he leaves his wife, Faith, reflecting his naive sureness in his own intentions and the world.
As he progresses through his journey, Goodman Brown's trust is tested and ultimately shattered by the revelation of hypocrisy and evil in those he once held in high regard. This loss of innocence is a key aspect of his character development and a reflection of the Romantic theme of disillusionment with society.
It's worth noting that Romantic literature frequently portrayed younger characters as embodiments of purity or moral clarity, contrasted with the corruption and complexity of adult society.
Youth and innocence are thus closely linked in the genre, rather than wisdom or experience, which are attributes generally ascribed to older characters. Goodman Brown’s journey strips him of this naive innocence, rather than endowing him with wisdom or highlighting deception as his primary trait. Therefore, Option 1: Trust in youth symbolizes innocence seems most appropriate.