It is described as bearing the resemblance to of “a great black snake” that is so realistic that it seems animated and living (Hawthorne, 621). The uncertainty of whether the staff was real or not symbolizes the uncertainty and apprehension of Brown’s situation. Moreover, the snake is an obvious allusion to the snake of the Bible that tempts Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. This staff indicates that the man is most certainly there to test Young Goodman Brown into the ways of evil, as did the snake from the Bible. Additionally, cloaks are used to symbolize that which is concealed. Specifically, the cloak that Faith is wearing before she is revealed to Goodman Brown is a symbol for the concealment of evil within his wife (Hawthorne, 627). Another symbol that was previously mentioned are the ribbons on Faith’s hat (Hawthorne, 620). More than the color, the ribbons themselves are very child-like and symbolize Faith’s youth and purity. This, along with the color of the ribbons themselves, paints a vivid picture of the Faith character as Young Goodman Brown perceives …show more content…
Goodman Brown is one of the first symbols introduced in the story, as his description paints him as an “everyman” who is meant to be relatable to most people of the time. He is dedicated to his belief in Christianity and his wife, which makes him that much more relatable to people of the time. In reference to Faith, there is much disagreement among critics as to whether she should be viewed as purely an allegorical figure or as a more dimensional character (Levy). However, it would be amiss to ignore the obvious symbolism in her character, as she is so important to the story. Her name “Faith” indicates that she could be a symbol for Young Goodman Brown’s faith in God. Although, it may be more apt to describe her as a symbol of Brown’s purity or innocence. At the beginning of the story his purity is intact, as he has not encountered the devil. As the story progresses, though, Faith succumbs to the ways of evil, as does Brown’s innocence (Levy). These two main characters are important symbols for the Puritan lifestyle and the hypocrisy within