Innocence Lost Through Puritanism?
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Innocence lost through Puritanism?
To truly comprehend the themes in “Young Goodman Brown” you must first understand the influences on Nathaniel Hawthornes writing. According to the website Hawthorneinsalem.org, Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, son of also a Nathaniel Hawthorne, was actually a descendant of John Hathorne, one of the judges who oversaw the Salem Witch Trials. Because of Hawthornes Puritan upbringing, much of writings are moral allegories set in colonial New England. Hawthorne returns again to Salem in “Young Goodman Brown” and deals with the theme of the loss of innocence. This theme works to argue the benefits and consequences of Goodman Browns beliefs before and after his encounter with the devil as well as the beliefs of the Puritans as a whole.
A central theme of the loss of innocence can be found throughout the entire story.
Even the first two characters introduced both seem as innocent as could be. Take the name Young Goodman Brown for example; innocence is associated with the word “young” as well as the word “good.” Hawthorne uses these words to give Brown a naпve persona much like most young Puritans of his time. His newly wed wife, Faith, symbolizes the faith he clings to in his life. Hawthorne must have also used her name as a symbol for not only Brown but for all Puritans. Puritans cling to faith blindly hoping they are the chosen ones entitled an entrance to heaven. The color pink, of the ribbon she wears, is a color associated with childhood innocence and purity. Young, innocent, and pure are all things Brown considers his wife to be at the beginning of the story. After we are introduced to the first characters Brown sets off into the forest where he will eventually learn the truth of things and in doing so lose his innocence. Once on his journey into the forest Hawthorne writes, “He had taken a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest, which barely stood aside to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind” (148). Brown is venturing into the unknown; the path closing behind him is symbolic of there being no turning back once he has lost his innocence. Once on his way with the devil, Brown learns of his fathers and grandfathers affiliations with him. Once honest people in Browns eyes, these men now become symbols of how surrounded by evil he actually is. He is astonished by the fact that Goody Cloyse is associated with the devil as well, and says, “That old woman taught me my catechism.” Hawthorne writes, “And there was a world of meaning in this simple comment” (151). Brown must have been experiencing much doubt because of the fact that someone who taught him all he knew about religion was actually a pawn of the devil. Self-doubt is another issue brought on by the Puritan education system which Goody Cloyse was a part of. Brown later learns that his deacon and minister are also in route to a witch meeting. Having all this brought to light bewilders Brown and makes him further question himself. Brown gives up his faith once he sees