Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts. His great-grandfather was a judge presiding over the infamous Salem witch trials. As a result, Hawthorne's Ideas and perspective are shown in this story. In 1835 he wrote the short story named "Young Goodman Brown". Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism throughout the story to make the events have more meaning and significance. Three important symbols are Young Goodman Brown, his wife Faith with pink ribbons, and the Forest.
Hawthorne uses the name "Young Goodman Brown" as a symbol in the story. "Young" infers the title character is a young and full of life. "Goodman" is a name given by Puritans to the head of a household, (Hawthorne 607) which also suggests that he is an ordinary person with good intentions and is morally good. Furthermore, the last name "Brown" indicates he is an average person of the town the character lives in. Thus, the full name implies he is just another common self-righteous townsman. .
In addition to the main character's name being a symbol, his wife's name is a symbol as well. At the beginning of the story, Goodman Brown leaves on a journey without Faith, his new wife. Goodman Brown's desire to journey alone, without Faith, will later lead to her sacrifice. For example, Goodman complains to the devil saying, "Faith kept me back awhile."(Hawthorne 608) Meaning that he still has some faith, but not meaning his wife. In addition to her name being a symbol, Hawthorne uses "pink ribbons " as a symbol in the story which represents pureness and innocence. Hawthorne uses the pink ribbons as a symbol four times in the story. Thus, this symbol represents a blend of purity. Also, Hawthorne mentions "Faith, with pink ribbons" (Hawthorne 607) inferring his faith takes on this blend of purity and sin. Finally, Goodman Brown exclaims to Faith, "Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked One!" (Hawthorne 615) Thus, he shows he never completely loses his faith.
In "Young Goodman Brown," there are many layers to read through. ... "Young Goodman Brown," is a symbol in the story. ... Goodman Brown's desire to journey without Faith leads to her sacrifice. ... For example, the names Faith and "Young Goodman Brown" symbolize more than a name. The name "Young Goodman Brown" symbolizes the average immature Puritan. ...
In "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown breaks apart after he realizes that not everything is perfect and neither is he, after he takes a journey and meets the devil. I This story uses allegory by the names Faith and Young Goodman Brown 1. ... Young Goodman Brown 3. ... Young Goodman Brown and Devil Hawthorne uses the name "Young Goodman Brown" as a symbol in the story. ... The name Young Goodman Brown symbolizes the average untainted man. ...
As Goodman Brown and the old man continue walking, the old man offers Goodman Brown the staff and tells him that it will help him walk faster. ... Since Goodman Brown is Christian, he repels evil and since the staff represents evil, Goodman Brown cannot tolerate touching it. ... However, Goodman Brown does not want to explain why he is with the old man and where he is going, so Goodman Brown hides in the woods. ... Goodman Brown is shocked and yells, "Faith! ... Goodman Brown does not say hello to her. ...
It was through his short story "Young Goodman Brown" that Hawthorne uses it to explain Young Goodman Brown's excessive pride. ... Goodman Brown let his wife down because of his journey. ... The Devil leads Goodman Brown down a "dreary road" that made Goodman Brown skeptical. ... Goodman Brown is so angry that he challenges evil. ... Goodman Brown steps forward and does not have the power to stop. ...
I will be discussing Hawthorne's themes of sin, guilt and punishment in Young Goodman Brown; and how they affect Goodman Brown throughout the story. ... The first sign of guilt is evident when Goodman Brown first sets off on his journey. ... At the end of the story, the only one punished is Goodman Brown. ... (Adams, 165) A state of moral uncertainty is Goodman Brown's punishment. In conclusion, Hawthorne's themes of sin, guilt, and punishment affect young Goodman Brown throughout the story. ...
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown,"" Nathaniel Hawthorne gives the characters in the stories symbolic names and shows the naivety of Goodman Brown and how he changes his thinking at the end of his journey. Goodman Brown is very nave. ... Each of the three parts of Young Goodman Brown's name has meaning of their own. ... Goodman calls for the question of whether or not Goodman Brown is in fact a "good man."" ... Goodman Brown's last name, Brown has symbolism in the color of it alone. ...
This tells us that Goodman Brown is not particularly old of age. 2. The protagonist is Goodman Brown. Hawthorne does not characterize Goodman Brown by his physical appereance. ... Goodman Brown's fellow-traveler tries to pull over young Goodman Brown to the dark and evil side symbollically by offering Goodman Brown his staff because Goodman is "so soon weary". ... I think that the author's tone towards the protagonist, Goodman Brown, is somewhat neutral. ...
As the story begins, Goodman Brown, a Puritan, is leaving his house around sunset. ... The devil drops his serpent-like staff before her astonishing Goodman Brown. ... Finding his wife's pink ribbon in the woods was a breaking point for Goodman Brown. ... Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" can be viewed in several ways. ... Goodman Brown was tempted with evil. ...
Goodman Brown remarks, "What if the devil himself should be at my very elbow!" ... The abyss in "Young Goodman Brown" is when he sees his wife, Faith. ... The cloud of voices sweeps away and Goodman Brown is left in solitude. ... Young Goodman Brown returns to his home the next morning as a new man. ... Even Young Goodman Brown's " dying hour was gloom" (pg. 100). ...
Soon after getting into the forest, Goodman Brown spots a figure in the mist ahead. ... He (the figure) was an older man, which resembled Goodman Brown. ... Goodman Brown is surprised at the tales that he is hearing. ... Next, Goodman Brown is exposed to the evil in his religion. ... Goodman Brown was very fond of his wife. ...
