Young Goodman Brown Theme Essay

Young Goodman Brown is a story by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is filled with symbolism, allegory, and many different themes. In the story, a man, Goodman Brown is going to go on a journey into the night. His wife faith does not want him to, but he must. He goes into the forest and meets a strange man with a staff that resembles a snake. The stranger attempts to persuade Brown to go along with him, He is reluctant. The man then says he knew his father and grandfather and helped them in their wicked ways. Brown realizes he is speaking to the devil and wants to stay true to his faith, referring to his wife and beliefs. They then notice a woman nearby. Brown recognizes her as being Goody Cloyse. She was his religious education teacher, it is shocking …show more content…
First, he must leave his wife Faith, to go on the journey. While on the journey, Brown meets the devil. He leaves his innocence to venture into evil. He leaves his home and wife which some see as the aspects of a good life. To go wonder in the dark forest, with the devil. The loss of innocence in that it sets up a scene where Young "Goodman", gives into temptation and corruption. Therefore losing his innocence, by succumbing to his lack of faith In allegories, characters are representative of certain traits. For instance, Goody Cloyse, the Catechist, and Deacon Gookin go into the forest and take part in the Black Mass. In this way, they represent the pious deceivers among the Puritans. (T. …show more content…
It is shown through the devils Brown has to face but also his own devils. His temptations and anger. By turning away from his community Brown unknowingly embraces the evils of insensitivity and selfishness. Hawthorne shows that human nature is a mixture of good and evil by creating an everyday character. Young Goodman Brown, who has both good and Evil thoughts (Shmoop Editorial