Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street at Salem village; but put his head back, after crossing the threshold, to exchange a parting kiss with his young wife. And Faith, as the wife was aptly named, thrust her own pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap while she called to Goodman Brown.

Question

"Dearest heart," whispered she, softly and rather sadly, when her lips were close to his ear, "prithee put off your journey until sunrise and sleep in your own bed to-night. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts that she's afeard of herself sometimes. Pray tarry with me this night, dear husband, of all nights in the year."

"My love and my Faith," replied young Goodman Brown, "of all nights in the year, this one night must I tarry away from thee. My journey, as thou callest it, forth and back again, must needs be done 'twixt now and sunrise. What, my sweet, pretty wife, dost thou doubt me already, and we but three months married?"

"Then God bless you!" said Faith, with the pink ribbons; "and may you find all well when you come back."
Question
(a letter to "Mamapedia")

When I leave the house, I kiss my guy goodbye, and tell him I love him... I expect the same. For some reason I find it unsettling to wake, and I realize I'm all alone... I mean, its a truly unnerving feeling that comes over me. I've asked him to kiss me/say goodbye before he leaves, (so what if he wakes me to do so...)

I thought I expressed my request quite plainly and clearly, but I woke this morning again to an empty house. It makes me feel like he doesn't take my request seriously, or worse- that he's upset with me (although I can't think of any reason why he would be... He's pretty easy going- it has to be something big for him to be upset)

I'm not sure where this insistence of mine stems from, but I can't figure out why this is either so hard for him to do, or even more importantly, why its so important to me. Anyway, isn't just common courtesy to kiss your wife goodbye?

What common theme, or topic, is touched upon both in the letter and the short story excerpt?
Responses
A the difficulty of saying goodbyethe difficulty of saying goodbye
B threats to a seemingly secure marriagethreats to a seemingly secure marriage
C leaving your family to forge into the unknownleaving your family to forge into the unknown
D the differing responses of husbands and wives to a farewell

Answer 1

The common theme touched upon both in the letter and the short story excerpt is:

A. the difficulty of saying goodbye.

In both texts, the characters experience an emotional connection with their farewells. In the excerpt from "Young Goodman Brown," Goodman Brown has a meaningful exchange with his wife, Faith, as they say goodbye, highlighting the emotional weight of parting. Similarly, in the letter, the writer expresses a strong need for acknowledgment and affection during farewells, indicating that a simple goodbye carries significant emotional importance for her.