Young Goodman Brown Research Paper

Words: 751
Pages: 4

Goodman Brown symbolizes an average man, whose faith and religion are very important to him. Goodman Brown is married to a woman, Faith, who is also very religious. The short story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts during the 17th century. In the story, Goodman Brown’s faith and religion is tested by evil through people he sees and knows in his everyday life. In Nathaniel Hawthorn’s short story “Young Goodman Brown”, the theme is that an event, or even a dream, can influence one’s faith or religion.
Goodman Brown’s faith and beliefs are shown before he starts his journey through the forest. First, through his wife, Faith, where Hawthorn writes, “And Faith, as the wife was aptly names, thrust her own pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap” (Hawthorn). Hawthorn mentions Faith’s ribbon multiple times throughout the story, symbolizing innocence and purity. Goodman reminds his wife, “Say thy prayers, dear Faith, and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee” (Hawthorn). Although he felt bad for
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The man offered the staff to Goodman Brown insisting it would help him walk faster, but Brown refused it and decided to go along with the man. After the man tells Goodman Brown about the evil acts he’s done, Brown says, “there is my wife, Faith. It would break her dear little heart: and I would rather break my own” (Hawthorn). Again, Hawthorn uses Faith to let readers know Goodman Brown would rather die than give up on his faith. Goodman Brown also shows his faith again when he sees Deacon Gookin and the town minister when he exclaims, “With Heaven above, and Faith below, I will yet stand firm against the devil” (Hawthorn). Brown then sees many people he knows including an excellent old Christian, Goody Cloyse, a Deacon of a church, and a