Piatt conveys her
realist views about nature and society through this poem. She seems to
suggest that the world, like nature, is not always ideal. She paints a
rational picture of society: “And my subject, the dove, coos on, /
Though my hand creep close to her nest.” These lines convey how the
world is made up of good people and bad people. The dove represents the
people who are benign and trusting, even with those out to harm them.
The dubious actions of the narrator of the poem depict those people who
try to take advantage of the trust and loyalty of the gentle people. The
speaker is depicted as flawed and human. She can hurt others and also
be hurt by others. Piatt does not seem to adhere to the romantic
idealization of nature and women.
Young Goodman Brown was dreaming
