In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown," the point of view is third-person limited. This means that the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character—specifically, Young Goodman Brown himself—while presenting the story from an external perspective.
The choice of third-person limited allows readers to closely follow Goodman Brown's internal struggles and perceptions as he ventures into the forest and encounters various characters. As Brown grapples with his faith and the nature of good and evil, the reader experiences his confusion and disillusionment directly through his thoughts and reactions.
The narrator provides insights into Brown's mental state, but does not reveal the thoughts of other characters in detail, which helps to maintain a sense of mystery and tension throughout the story. The focus on Brown's perspective emphasizes themes of individuality, temptation, and the complexity of human morality, making it central to the narrative's impact.