A Guide to Understanding Young Goodman Brown

What can readers infer about Young Goodman Brown from lines 8-9?

A. Knows who his companion is

B. Is happy to see his companion

C. Is annoyed at his companion

D. None of the above

Answer: D - None of the above

The lines reveal Young Goodman Brown's disbelief and astonishment at his companion's relaxed demeanor about dark historical events, indicating that option D is the correct answer.

Young Goodman Brown shows disbelief and astonishment at his companion's nonchalance regarding serious and dark past actions. The companion's mention of their familiarity with Goodman Brown's ancestors and their shared cruel deeds shocks Goodman Brown.

His reaction of calling out 'Can this be so?' with a 'stare of amazement' suggests that he is both shocked and in disbelief about the true nature of the people he has looked up to and the company he is currently keeping.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D. None of the above, as Goodman Brown's reaction is more complex, rooted in confusion and a paradigm shift regarding his perception of morality in his community.