Analyzing the Symbols in Young Goodman Brown Ever since the story of “Young Goodman Brown” came to be, there has been plenty of controversy concerning the exact meaning intended by the author. Some may argue that Nathaniel Hawthorne intended the story to be taken literally, but through careful analysis I have come to suggest that Hawthorne’s story is filled with symbolism. These symbols, more specifically, seem to describe the challenges of everyday life handled by the average religious and good-willed person to lose his or her beliefs and succumb to the temptations of evil. Through describing the key symbols of the story and refuting the arguments supporting the literal interpretation of the story, one may be able to view this incredibly
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One symbol is that of the cloud that covers up the sky simultaneously as Goodman Brown attempts to pray. This covering of the sky represents the separation of his faith from a spirit in the sky to himself. Another symbol portraying his loss in faith was the pink ribbons descending from the sky once Faith was seen by Goodman Brown as a convert at the wicked meeting in the forest. It never becomes clear whether Faith cooperated with the evil group or not, but Goodman Brown’s skepticism of faith proved overbearing. Overall, the summation of the symbols displayed in the story of Goodman Brown proved detrimental to his …show more content…
Such counterexamples may include Faith, when used as a reference by Goodman Brown throughout the story, does not contain a double meaning between his spouse and his actual faith in a religious practice. One instance of this counterexample being challenged is when Goodman Brown cries, “My Faith is gone! There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given” (6). The context in which this quote was taken consists of Goodman Brown overhearing Faith seemingly participating in the evil meeting in the forest. Ironically, Goodman Brown loses faith by observing Faith falling to the powers of evil. This loss in faith demolishes Goodman Brown and drives him to insanity and extreme skepticism of everything good in the
One symbol is that of the cloud that covers up the sky simultaneously as Goodman Brown attempts to pray. This covering of the sky represents the separation of his faith from a spirit in the sky to himself. Another symbol portraying his loss in faith was the pink ribbons descending from the sky once Faith was seen by Goodman Brown as a convert at the wicked meeting in the forest. It never becomes clear whether Faith cooperated with the evil group or not, but Goodman Brown’s skepticism of faith proved overbearing. Overall, the summation of the symbols displayed in the story of Goodman Brown proved detrimental to his …show more content…
Such counterexamples may include Faith, when used as a reference by Goodman Brown throughout the story, does not contain a double meaning between his spouse and his actual faith in a religious practice. One instance of this counterexample being challenged is when Goodman Brown cries, “My Faith is gone! There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given” (6). The context in which this quote was taken consists of Goodman Brown overhearing Faith seemingly participating in the evil meeting in the forest. Ironically, Goodman Brown loses faith by observing Faith falling to the powers of evil. This loss in faith demolishes Goodman Brown and drives him to insanity and extreme skepticism of everything good in the