Page "Brook Farm" Paragraph 34

Many outside the community were critical of Brook Farm, especially in the press.

The New York Observer, for example, suggested that, " The Associationists, under the pretense of a desire to promote order and morals, design to overthrow the marriage institution, and in the place of the divine law, to substitute the ' passions ' as the proper regulator of the intercourse of the sexes ", concluding that they were " secretly and industriously aiming to destroy the foundation of society ".

Critic Edgar Allan Poe expressed his opinions on the community in an article titled " Brook Farm " in the December 13, 1845, issue of the Broadway Journal.

He wrote that he had " sincere respect " for the group and that its journal, The Harbinger, was " conducted by an assemblage of well-read persons who mean no harm — and who, perhaps, can do no less ".

Despite many critics, none suggested George Ripley be replaced as Brook Farm's leader.