I would rather be respected, because, while I may not be complimented as often, I know I won't stand for any disrespect. Also, it won't come my way if I am respected. Other people will know I am a person, and that is enough. No one will give me a hard time or question me if I'm respected, as well. Being loved, but not respected is a dreadful thing.
The pun is, "Santa arrived at the party just to the NICK of time." He's often referred to as "Saint Nick." The meaning of the pun, is, he made it to the party quick, or he made it just in time.
THE WEAKNESS OF PUBLIC MORALITY
In “Young Goodman Brown,” Hawthorne reveals what he sees as the corruptibility that results from Puritan society’s emphasis on public morality, which often weakens private religious faith. Although Goodman Brown has decided to come into the forest and meet with the devil, he still hides when he sees Goody Cloyse and hears the minister and Deacon Gookin. He seems more concerned with how his faith appears to other people than with the fact that he has decided to meet with the devil. Goodman Brown’s religious convictions are rooted in his belief that those around him are also religious. This kind of faith, which depends so much on other people’s views, is easily weakened. When Goodman Brown discovers that his father, grandfather, Goody Cloyse, the minister, Deacon Gookin, and Faith are all in league with the devil, Goodman Brown quickly decides that he might as well do the same. Hawthorne seems to suggest that the danger of basing a society on moral principles and religious faith lies in the fact that members of the society do not arrive at their own moral decisions. When they copy the beliefs of the people around them, their faith becomes weak and rootless.
Great Britain but some scholars seem to think United States as well. split view ♂️
