In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "Young Goodman Brown," he illustrates a young man, newly married, fighting against evil. Young Goodman Brown feels that this will be the last journey of the type " and after this one night I"ll cling to her skirts and follow her to Heaven" (140). In the story of good versus evil, Young Goodman Brown discovers that everyone loses his/her way sometimes, but he/she must always remember to hold onto his/her faith.
Young Goodman Brown discovers that holding on to his faith is not easy when evil is present on every hand. Young Goodman Brown feels as if he is alone in his struggle with faith. As Young Goodman Brown travels on the dreary and dark road with the devil, doubt builds up in him. He decides that he has gone too far and is going to go back home. He feels that others from his village would not have traveled this road and that it would be a disgrace to his forefathers to continue this journey with the devil. Young Goodman states, "We are a people of prayer, and good works to boot, and abide no such wickedness" (142); but the devil informs him of his acquaintance with his father and other members of his village. Young Goodman Brown realizes that the people who had taught him religion and given him guidance were on the same journey to the devil's communion ceremony. When Young Goodman Brown realizes that he is not alone on this journey he finally resists the devil.
Young Goodman Brown stands firm on his decision to resist the devil. He states, "With Heaven above, and Faith below, I will yet stand firm against the devil" (144). Young Goodman Brown now begins to feel weary of what is in store for him next. Young Goodman Brown says to the devil, "there is no good on earth, and sin is but a name. Come devil! for to thee is this world given" (145). Young Goodman Brown feels as if his faith is gone, but yet he is still determined to overcome the devil and not give in like many others before him.
