Final answer:
Literary characteristics associated with Dark Romanticism in 'Young Goodman Brown' include the exploration of the human capacity for evil and the complexity of human nature, seen in the story's dark, mystical setting, and themes of fallibility and the loss of innocence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary characteristics often associated with Dark Romanticism, particularly in works like "Young Goodman Brown," are an exploration of the human capacity for evil and the dark side of human existence.
Contrary to optimistic and utopian settings, emphasis on the goodness and purity of humans, or celebrations of nature's beauty and harmonious relationships, Dark Romanticism looks into the complex and often morally ambiguous aspects of the human psyche.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" is an example of this genre, where the narrative delves deep into the protagonist's internal conflicts and the prevalent hypocrisy in society, veiling it with a dark, foreboding mood.
The story unfolds in a gloomy, mystical forest setting, symbolic of the internalized conflict experienced by Goodman Brown, as he embarks on a journey that challenges his faith and exposes the sinfulness lurking in the Puritan community.
Themes in the story include the fallibility of human nature, the loss of innocence, and the dangers of moral absolutism, often reinforced by motifs such as the journey into the forest, the mysterious companion, and the witches' Sabbath.