Goodman Brown’s Fading Faith
In his 1835 story “Young Goodman Brown,” Nathaniel Hawthorne describes Goodman Brown’s journey as he wanders from his new Christian faith and goes down the dark path of sin (Charters 261). As Goodman Brown continues along this road, he makes choices and faces challenges that shake the foundation of his faith, leaving him with doubt, fear, and discouragement. Ultimately, his choices and experiences on this dark night damage his beliefs and keep him from returning to his faith. As Hawthorne demonstrates through the story, Goodman Brown loses his faith in God because he compromises his moral beliefs, fails to nurture a strong faith in the Lord, and believes Satan’s lies to justify his sin.
In his 1835 story “Young Goodman Brown,” Nathaniel Hawthorne describes Goodman Brown’s journey as he wanders from his new Christian faith and goes down the dark path of sin (Charters 261). As Goodman Brown continues along this road, he makes choices and faces challenges that shake the foundation of his faith, leaving him with doubt, fear, and discouragement. Ultimately, his choices and experiences on this dark night damage his beliefs and keep him from returning to his faith. As Hawthorne demonstrates through the story, Goodman Brown loses his faith in God because he compromises his moral beliefs, fails to nurture a strong faith in the Lord, and believes Satan’s lies to justify his sin.