The setting in the story, Young Good Brown, is a key element to this story's theme. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the setting and time in the forest as a method of symbolizing the theme of a symbolic journey into the depths of consciousness. As the hours of the night pass, Goodman Brown travels farther into the forest, and deeper into the depths of consciousness. This theme is present in many passages of the text. The story begins with the line, "Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the streets of Salem village; but put his head back, after crossing the threshold to exchange a parting kiss with his young wife" (Hawthorne 1207). At this point of the story, there is partial daylight and Goodman Brown is consciously aware of his trust in his wife, Faith, and his faith in his religion. He says to his wife, ""of all nights in the year, this one night must I tarry away from thee, my journey, as thou callest it, forth and back again, must needs be done "twixt now and sunrise"" (Hawthorne 1207). Goodman Brown feels that something inside him needs to go on this journey but he goes "on his journey with a guilty conscience" (Martin 85). There is a reason why he consciously feels like he has to go; he needs to test the perceptions he has of his life. By leaving at sunset, Goodman Brown is going into the darkness. The night allows Goodman Brown to sink deeper into the depths of his conscience, causing his mind to be less alert. In order to clear his conscience, he must take this journey, which can occur only on this very night. The road Goodman Brown takes into the forest is "darkened by all the gloomiest trees in the forest, which barely [stands] aside to let the narrow path creep through, and [close] immediately behind" (Hawthorne 1208). As he travels farther into the forest, and further away from Faith, and his faith, it becomes harder for him to find his way back. The forest, in the story, is a symbol for Goodman Brown's conscience, which includes the roots of all his perceptions.
In "Young Goodman Brown," there are many layers to read through. ... "Young Goodman Brown," is a symbol in the story. ... In addition, "Goodman" suggests his self-righteousness, thinking he is a "Goodman." ... Goodman Brown's desire to journey without Faith leads to her sacrifice. ... Also, pink means the blend of sin and purity in Goodman's faith. ...
Goodman comes across a man seated at the foot of an old tree. The man stands and walks onward side by side with Goodman. ... This is the first instance when Goodman hears of such a thing. ... Goodman lives out the rest of his life with misery and distrust. ... Goodman Brown was tempted with evil. ...
"Young Goodman Brown" is said to be one of Hawthorne's best short stories. ... Goodman Brown's wife, Faith, represents his faith in God or a higher power. ... She represented a betrayal in Goodman's beliefs. ... Goodman's companion stated that he had taken this walk with relatives of Goodman, such as his father and grandfather. ... Goodman realized that things aren't always what they seem. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ... This is where Goodman lost much of his faith. ... Goodman Brown was very fond of his wife. ...
