Essay On Symbolism In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
The most significant symbols in his story include the names representing the characters, young goodman Brown, and his wife, Faith. Both represent their given names, but also symbolizes the moral belief young goodman Brown holds in his heart.
Goodman Brown is a good man, but the name itself can symbolize young good men that are tempted to have a sinful life. Throughout the story, goodman Brown refers to his wife, Faith. His references also represent his struggle with his faith during his temptation with sin. His wife, Faith, is determined to keep goodman Brown from his path. The story supports this in the beginning because she softly and sadly whispered, asking him to put off his journey until the next day (620). When asked by the second traveler as to why he was late, he replied, “Faith kept me back awhile” (620). This statement refers to his actual …show more content…
When goodman Brown meets the second traveler, who represents Satan, he recognizes a resemblance of himself in this man, although he realizes it is perhaps more of an expression than physical features (621). This representation shows that goodman Brown recognizes the evil within himself, even though he claims to be a good Christian. The only thing about the traveler that remained noticeable was his staff. It is described as having the likeness of a great black snake, and seemed to twist and wriggle itself (621). This snake-like staff represents a serpent which is often mentioned as evil in the bible and many other cultures. The staff adds to allusion of the man’s evil power. When offered the staff, goodman Brown unconsciously accepts and continues down his path toward evil (621).
Overall, this story represents many people in the world and gives the allusion that most Christian’s are good people, but proves that many have hidden curiosity about the things of the world, and how easily each can be seduced into a path of
Goodman Brown is a good man, but the name itself can symbolize young good men that are tempted to have a sinful life. Throughout the story, goodman Brown refers to his wife, Faith. His references also represent his struggle with his faith during his temptation with sin. His wife, Faith, is determined to keep goodman Brown from his path. The story supports this in the beginning because she softly and sadly whispered, asking him to put off his journey until the next day (620). When asked by the second traveler as to why he was late, he replied, “Faith kept me back awhile” (620). This statement refers to his actual …show more content…
When goodman Brown meets the second traveler, who represents Satan, he recognizes a resemblance of himself in this man, although he realizes it is perhaps more of an expression than physical features (621). This representation shows that goodman Brown recognizes the evil within himself, even though he claims to be a good Christian. The only thing about the traveler that remained noticeable was his staff. It is described as having the likeness of a great black snake, and seemed to twist and wriggle itself (621). This snake-like staff represents a serpent which is often mentioned as evil in the bible and many other cultures. The staff adds to allusion of the man’s evil power. When offered the staff, goodman Brown unconsciously accepts and continues down his path toward evil (621).
Overall, this story represents many people in the world and gives the allusion that most Christian’s are good people, but proves that many have hidden curiosity about the things of the world, and how easily each can be seduced into a path of