Preview

Symbolism In Young Goodman Brown

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
459 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Symbolism In Young Goodman Brown
In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne there is a lot of symbolism that can be analyzed. In an analysis of the symbolism in Hawthorne’s story we follow Goodman Brown on a Journey into the forest to see what the devil has to offer because of the doubts Goodman had been facing in his religion. As Goodman travels deeper into the forest he begins to question his religion more and more.
As the story begins Goodman is saying goodbye to his wife Faith. She doesn’t want him to leave, but Goodman insists on leaving, he has to go on this Journey. Goodman tells Faith, “Say thy prayers … and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee” he is trying to indulge in the devil and fulfill his Godly duties. Faith, Goodman’s wife, represents his faith in God. …show more content…
This foreshadows that something bad is about to happen. Upon entering the forest Goodman encounters a traveler. This traveler seems to be a regular man, dressed in regular clothes and resemblance of a regular man. However this man had a black serpentine staff. The traveler Goodman encounters represents Satan, and he is pulling Goodman deeper into the forest. He makes Goodman begin to question his faith with stories about his father and grandfather not being the holy people they claimed to be. The staff the traveler carries is also a representation of evil. The traveler keeps trying to get Goodman to take the staff, which means he wants Goodman to turn evil.
Goodman unearths many strange things on his journey. He comes across many people that he thought were good Christian people taking apart in acts of the devil. The first person he found was Goody Cloyse, the person that taught Goodman his catechism. She turns out to be a witch. He then hears the voice of a deacon and the minister. All these people represent hypocrisy. God-fearing people by day, but dabbling in the work of Satan by
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Analysis Of Hypocrisy In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Analysis Of Hypocrisy In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    During his experience in the forest, Goodman Brown begins to understand fully that his community is full of hypocrisy, which leads him to being distrustful to those around him. This is because his search for spiritual enlightenment leads him to lose his faith in God. What’s more, his nighttime journey forces him to question the devil’s existence in the darkness that he finds himself. In addition, he begins to understand that people use religion to hide their evil deeds. Such is the case he associates with his father and grandfather violent atrocities disguised as their moral obligations (388). In fact the scene leaves the reader with questions about the reality Goodman Brown faces as he witnesses a witch, the devil worshippers around the alter and a spooky dark cloud. However, the occurrence the devil shows him becomes the important message and the source of Goodman’s misgivings (Bloom, 42).…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Kikos Essay Final Draft Essay
    • 560 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Kikos Essay Final Draft Essay

    Throughout the passage he uses symbolism in many ways. He demonstrates how Young Goodman’s faith is being tested. When Hawthorne says "Come, Goodman Brown, cried his fellow-traveler,” this is a dull pace for the beginning of a journey. “Take my staff, if you are so soon weary.” According to Sophie Starmack, his wife has a symbolic name. “My faith is gone!” with this being said Hawthorne works on two levels, the literal loss of his wife and the symbolic loss of his spiritual belief. He seems to be more worried about how he might lose his Faith. Hawthorne suggests that if one bases their morals with religion and society, one might just get confused and lose their morals and become weakened. Yet, Goodman Brown tries to stay strong and committed to his Faith. Hawthorne states, “Is that any reason why I should quit my dear Faith and go after her?” In Jimmy Maher’s words "The Young Goodman Brown" is presented as an allegory of the danger inherent in abandoning one's Christian faith.…

    • 560 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    young goodman brown
    • 1797 Words
    • 5 Pages

    young goodman brown

    2. Evidence pointing to the journey into the forest being a journey into his own heart is seen when he’s alone in the forest. He begins seeing the darkness around him which is symbolic of sin, and he sees his wife’s ribbon in the tree which is symbolic of his need of her and fear of losing her. He is mostly afraid of the sin in himself which he unravels as he goes deeper into the forest. His fellow traveler who is described as an older version of Goodman is darker and more evil than Goodman himself, whereas his wife whose name is faith is lost because Goodman loses faith in the Church congregation who he sees at the devil worship.…

    • 1797 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Innocence In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 904 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Theme Of Innocence In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    As Goodman was walking into the woods, Hawthorne wrote, “It was all as lonely as could be; and there is this peculiarity in such a solitude, that the traveller knows not who may be concealed by the innumerable trunks and the thick boughs overhead; so that, with lonely footsteps, he may yet be passing through an unseen multitude.” This passage sets the stage for a creepy feeling of seclusion and suspense. Without the isolation within this story, Goodman would not be witnessing everyone passing by without them knowing, rather, he would be engaged with them. This would cause him to be influenced by the other characters within the story, and we would no longer be able to see Goodman inevitably succumb to the temptation of the Devil by himself (the loss of his innocence), which is the overall theme of the…

    • 904 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Destruction Of Faith In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Destruction Of Faith In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    When Goodman enters the woods, they imminently close behind him, indicating that there is no return and he must finish his journey. He is soon surprised by an older gentleman that is lead to believe to be the devil. He says that Goodman is late and says that he does not have to continue if he does not wish but persuaded him by speaking of his father and father’s father doing the same journey and that his faith will be unharmed.…

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Symbolism In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Essay On Symbolism In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    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).…

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Symbolism And Imagery In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Symbolism And Imagery In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    The story begins with Goodman Brown leaving his wife, Faith, for an unknown errand in the forest. Despite Faith begging him not to go, Brown leaves that night. The reader later learns that Goodman Brown had made a decision to meet with the devil in the forest. This expresses that Brown had a strong faith before he entered the forest and even…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Loss Of Innocence In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 1312 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Loss Of Innocence In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    James informs the reader that the term “Goodman” is derived from an outdated term of the period used to identify a married farmer. This term is just one rung below a gentleman on the social latter of the time (James). Some other symbolic references that can be applied to this are that “Young” refers to youthful age and naivety, while “Goodman” infers being uncorrupted (Lorcher). This naivety can be seen as a direct reference to his being tempted by Satan on his forthcoming journey and the potential loss of innocence. Goodman Brown informs his newlywed wife that he must take this mysterious journey without deviation. In this manner, it is very much like Hawthorne’s own father leaving on the mysterious sea voyage and never returning. This journey happened despite Faith’s misgivings. He proceeds to walk into the gloomy woods and the darkest trees seem to make way for his passage and then quickly engulf behind him (George). A picture is painted much like that of Mose’s parting the Red Sea. This is also much like the symbolic view of sin which beckons and then consumes the unwary. Indicative of Hawthorne’s relatives going down dark paths like the persecution of the Quakers or suspected…

    • 1312 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Allegory In Young Goodman Brown
    • 810 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Allegory In Young Goodman Brown

    Young Goodman Brown’s faith seems to be centered around his wife Faith, as if she is his moral compass. Once Brown believes that his Faith is lost and no longer innocent and oblivious to the wicked ways of people surrounding him, Brown turns bitter towards the townspeople. Ultimately, Brown turns from Faith and in an essence lost his faith, humanity no longer believing in the good of mankind. Once Brown realizes that even the purest of heart can be tempted to stray from their beliefs, he loses faith in himself and everyone around him. Faith is the ultimate personification of faith and it is ultimately lost, Brown dies a miserable…

    • 810 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Young Goodman Brown Ambiguity
    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Young Goodman Brown Ambiguity

    When interpreting Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "Young Goodman Brown", one can decide Hawthorne's intentional ambiguity towards Goodman Brown's encounter with the devil in the forest. Throughout the story, textual evidence influences the reader to discover that the meeting with the Devil did actually occur in reality.…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Young goodman brown
    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Young goodman brown

    The story of young goodman brown takes place in what was a very different time period in history. It takes places approximately in the early 1700’s when church god and faith was found in pretty much every household. This story contains a lot of religious aspects. Goodman browns wife is a very religious woman, as long as the rest of the entire community. When Goodman is walking through the forest on his journey, he meets a man, this man is dressed normally and looks quite normal. This man greets him, and offers him a walking stick, or cane. This cane doesn’t look like any other ordinary cane. the can has a lifelike serpent slithering across the handle and body. This cane is a symbol for evil, and its ability to pull people into its ways. Goodman Brown was originally a very decent man, who had good views and beliefs, but once he met this man, who later reveals himself as the devil, he is changed forever. “On he flew among the black pines, brandishing his staff with frenzied gestures, now giving vent to an inspiration of horrid blasphemy, and now shouting forth such laughter as set all the echoes of the forest laughing like demons around him. The fiend in his own shape is less hideous than when he rages in the breast of man.” (5 Nathaniel Hawthorne). Goodman Brown gives up on trying to resist the devil’s temptations, takes up the devil’s staff, and makes his way toward the ceremony. As soon as Goodman Brown reaches for the staff, after he believes he hears faith, his wife's voice, he is sure that faith and all others have turned evil. He is transported to the ceremony that is taking place, with the witches and devil. He not only accepts the cane of the devil, but the role that comes with this cane. Goodman Brown was not only brought to the meeting with this cane, but brought into the role of a demon, or even devil. The walking staffs importance is that once he decided to give in and use support he was changed. The serpent on the walking staff symbolizes the fact…

    • 521 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Deception Of Faith In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown
    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Deception Of Faith In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    Within Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”, the reader follows a man of the same name on his journey through the forest to an unspecified ritual. Leaving behind his wife—appropriately named Faith—he sets off, unaware of what awaits him. While many are content with believing this story is a tale about lying, there is evidence that more meaning lies beneath the surface. Rather than just stating the obvious, Hawthorne may have been meaning to warn readers of the dangers of overestimating their own faith. By believing that his faith was unshakable and pure, Goodman Brown leaves himself open to the deception of the outside world that lurks when his “Faith” is not around. Hawthorne expresses how evil thoughts are inherently human, no matter how innocent or religious a person attempts to live. Faith alone cannot protect people from the world outside of it.…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dreams In Young Goodman Brown
    • 960 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Dreams In Young Goodman Brown

    It just so happens that after thinking that, he hears horses and the voice of Deacon Gookin. Although it seems that Goodman Brown is hearing Deacon Gookin as he goes to the ceremony that is not the case. It is not said how much time passes between Goodman Brown beginning to rest, and his sighting of Deacon Gookin. Young Goodman Brown has already fallen asleep at this point, and Deacon Gookin is mentioned immediately because that is whom Goodman Brown thought of last, while awake. Goodman Brown has an experience with a dark cloud overhead and then sees his wife’s pink ribbon floating down. At this point he thinks Faith has been unfaithful to him. In this story, the name Faith is very symbolic. Faith, his wife, is depicted in the beginning of the story has a good Christian and faithful. Faith was innocent, and would not be going to the meeting. Perhaps, subconsciously Goodman Brown actually viewed Faith as evil. Then, Young Goodman Brown grabs the staff, which the old man gave him, and traveled through the forest “at such a rate, that he seemed to fly along the forest path rather than to walk or run” (Hawthorne, 396). When he got to the clearing surrounded by trees on fire, all he could see were the fire lit faces of respectable people in his community. Subconsciously, this is his vision of Hell. Goodman Brown thinks he sees his father beckoning him forward and his mother trying to hold him back. Young Goodman Brown realizes that he has been questioning his own faith and this part of the dream is basically the good (his mother) against the bad (his father) of his subconscious. Goodman Brown then sees Faith, who tells him look up to the heavens and resist the devil. Goodman Brown looks up to the heavens and finds himself alone in the forest. It is now that he is waking up. Because his dream took place where he fell asleep, and was…

    • 960 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Goodman Brown Delusion
    • 1097 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Goodman Brown Delusion

    The object and goal of this task are unknown even to Goodman. Spiritual journeys are often depicted as a glorious and celebrated event but are actually the conscience leading its’ vessel through a time of turmoil. As Goodman progresses into the forest, he meets the being that will help him draw aside the sable curtain of delusion and see his beloved neighbors for the wicked coven they have always been. When greeted by the old man, Goodman recognizes him to be an older version of himself. The old man claims to have know Goodman Brown’s father and grandfather. I believe this “old man” is actually Goodman Browns spiritual guide that will lead him to discover the evil that he has lived with his entire life. The forest represents clouded view of Goodman Brown while the clearing that he enters represents reality. The old man is clearly a depiction of not only the devil but of the evil that Goodman has locked away. This old man is the part of Goodman Brown that falls in line with the rest of the townsfolk. As the pair progress through the forest they meet Ms. Goody Cloyse, a woman that Goodman holds dear to his own heart. Goody taught him a series of questions and answers referred to as catechism. Goody identifies herself to the old man as a witch, as if to explain herself as one of his own. Realization begins to set in, was this catechism actually the doctrine of the witches coven? Upon…

    • 1097 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Lottery
    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Lottery

    Young Goodman Brown is a young man who fits his name. He is innocent and believes the community is as harmless as they appear. However his innocence has blinded him to the reality of the dark world. Brown’s family, his wife, and respected members of the community such as Goody Cloyse and Deacon Gookin, have all submitted to the devil. Brown gives in by going to the ceremony, but is permanently scarred and shaken by the experience. He no longer trusts anyone in the community or fully loves his wife again. The beliefs he thought that everyone had were corrupted when he discovered their alliance with the devil. Each of these people followed one another, disregarding their personal morals. This made all the characters seem spineless and unfaithful. This shows Hawthorne’s themes of not all things are as they seem, standing firm in your beliefs, doing what you know to be right and not following the crowd just because of a popular decision.…

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics