* Didactic: The story is undeniably didactic in its message about the dangers of hypocrisy and the potential for evil within seemingly good people. The story warns against judging others and the importance of faith in oneself. Goodman Brown's journey into the forest exposes the hypocrisy of the Puritan community, ultimately questioning the very foundation of their religious beliefs.
* Observational: However, the story is also highly observational. Hawthorne does not explicitly preach or force his message upon the reader. He presents the story through the lens of Goodman Brown's experience, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. The ambiguity of the ending, whether the events in the forest were real or a nightmare, further enhances the observational nature of the story.
Therefore, "Young Goodman Brown" is a complex piece of literature that blends didactic and observational elements. While Hawthorne clearly presents a moral message, he does so through the lens of observation and allows the reader to interpret the story on their own terms.