Young Goodman Brown’s Faith
Essay title: Young Goodman Brown’s Faith
In Nathaniel Hawthornes “Young Goodman Brown,” Hawthorne introduces Goodman Brown, who doubts himself and reiterates his false comfidence to himself repeatedly. His struggle between the evil temptations, the devil, and the proper church abiding life, is a struggle he does not think he can handle. This story is about a man who challenges his faith in himself and in the community in which he resides. Goodman Brown must venture on a journey into the local forest, refuse the temptations of the devil, and return to the village before the sunrise.
The story is set in the forest of Salem, Massachusetts, around the time of the witch trials. Goodman Brown is a Puritan, and Salem is a Puritan village appears to be a good Christian community in the beginning of the story. Hawthorne once again criticize on a Puritan community or the religious community of his time through this short story. In this short story, Hawthorne criticizes the Puritans who take the words of Bible without interpretation, and who believe they are pure but inside the evil resides just as in the people they persecute.
The story begins with Goodman Brown leaving the house at sunset while his wife, Faith, trying to persuade Goodman to depart at sunrise. Brown starts his journey to the darkness that awaits for him in the forest where Puritans believe the devil lives. Hawthorne seems to be using many symbolisms in the story such as Goodmans wife Faith which symbolizes his real faith in God. Goodman leaves his faith behind him and set forth into his journey with his own strength and power. Although he felt guilty leaving his Faith back home in their early stage of marriage, he justifies this guilt by swearing that after this night he will “cling to her skirt and follow her to heaven.” However, will there be another day for Goodman Brown to share his life with Faith? Although his faith, described with “pink ribbon,” is sincere, pure, and innocent, is his will strong
enough to walk though “a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest?” Goodman believes nothing can tempt his faith, not even a devil.
Upon entering the forest he is suspicious of every rock and tree, thinking something evil will jump out at him. A man waits for Goodman in the forest and then walks by Goodmans side. Although the narrator does not say this man is the devil, he indicates such when this man in the forest says, ” The clock of the Old South was striking, as I came through Boston; and that is full fifteen minutes agone,” and seems to have the supernatural power to move faster than normal humans. This man also has a staff in the shape of black snake, the symbol of darkness and evil. Goodman follows the devil deep into the forest, not knowing what he would encounter, but he is very confident that he can handle it. The temptation of the devil has begun when Goodman falls behind and the devil offers his staff for him to use. Goodman simply rejects his offer and passes the first temptation.
Goodman prides himself by telling the devil that he and his family have been ” a race of honest men and good Christian,” but the devil exploits something that shocks Goodman. The devil tells Goodman that his family and whole community went through the forest with the devil as they tortured women in Salem or burned the villages of Indians to the ground, and afterwards the devil and his ancestors would go for a “pleasant walk.” Goodmans journey continues undisturbed until he meets his old catechism teacher, Goody Cloyse, who has changed dramatically. Goody Cloyse already has acquitance with the devil, and she asks the devil for help so she can get to the meeting. The devil drops the staff before her which made Goodman Brown astonished.