Young Goodman Brown Analysis

The name of the short story, “Young Goodman Brown” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, becomes an ironic statement after reading the entire piece. The term “Goodman” literally translates to a man who possesses a higher standard of morality and goodwill. However, specific aspects of the short story mock the term and rather, it reveals non-Christian ideologies. The story begins with the protagonist, Goodman Brown, leaving his wife, Faith, to pursue a one-night journey. Already, a symbolism for Goodman’s morality and faith can be seen just through his wife’s name. The act of him leaving his “Faith” can foreshadow an ominous experience that Goodman will encounter during his journey. The line, “…she [Faith] spoke, there was trouble in her face, as if a dream had warned her…” on page 585, solidifies the ominous foreshadow to be encountered by Goodman. Another line in the story, “…felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose.”, provides insight onto what Goodman’s true intentions are, and adds an ironic tone to the protagonist’s name.
The traveler that Goodman encounters on his journey is eventually revealed to be the Devil himself in the scene when the traveler touches Goody Cloyse with his staff and she screams out “the devil.”, on page 588. Travelling with the Devil during Goodman’s journey can represent Goodman’s efforts to avert temptations as well as personify his struggle to deal with his faith in his religion.
Throughout the short story, the author focuses on presenting ideas of hypocrisy in religion. He first introduces the idea in the line, “…I have been as well acquainted with your family as with ever a one among the Puritans (page 586).” This line was spoken by Satan in the short story, and states how Satan was always present in Goodman’s family affairs, even though they presented themselves as pious Puritans. Reading more into the short story, the author exposes each and every one of Goodman’s townspeople as devil worshippers.