An Analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

In the world we live in today, individuals' views change as they progress in life. Today, television, Internet, newspaper, and other media outlets influence individuals' views of, way of life, family matters, and community matters. Whether a view is moral or not, the choice is up to the individual. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, " Young Goodman Brown," (1835) Hawthorne suggests that as individuals travel through life, personal views can alter, which is shown through imagery and symbolism within the story. Hawthorne develops and supports the choice of a path of good or evil by illustrating Goodman Brown's travel without his wife, Faith. In order to demonstrate individuals' journey, Hawthorne presents a somber tone with a combination of images and symbols. In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne utilizes the symbolism within the name of Goodman Brown, the name of Goodman's wife, Faith, and the symbolism of the forest to further express how influence affects individuals throughout life.

Within the story, the name of Goodman Brown symbolizes how influence manipulates individuals throughout life. In the sentence, "Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset, into the street of Salem Village, but put is head back, after crossing the threshold, to exchange a parting kiss with his young wife" (Hawthorne 395), several symbols of influence appear. Goodman Brown's name suggests that he is an individual free from influence. Also within this first sentence, influence is symbolized through youth and good nature that is found within Goodman Brown's name. This youthful influence indicates that Goodman Brown is uncorrupt and innocent which is mostly due to positive influence through his wife Faith.

Appearing in the story "Young Goodman Brown", the symbolism within the name of Faith influences Goodman Brown positively throughout the story. Agreeing with Thomas Walsh Jr, "Faith . . . represents religious faith" ( 332). The religious influence within the name of Faith influences Brown's personal faith in goodness. In the beginning Goodman Brown clearly exemplifies influence in the name of Faith through, "My love and my Faith. . ." (Hawthorne 395). Also, the name of Faith indicates Goodman Brown clings to a faith of goodness in the world, which is later lost as Brown continues into the forest. Later in the story, when Goodman Brown encounters a figure in the woods, the symbolism within the name of Faith influences Brown and his actions when he states, "Faith keep me back a while. . ." (Hawthorne 396). Although Faith provides positive influence the negative symbolism of the forest begins movement away from the name of Faith's influence

In the story, the forest symbolizes how influence affects individuals throughout life. Breaking away from the positive influence of Faith, the symbolism of the forest affects Goodman Brown negatively throughout the story. Also agreeing with Thomas Walsh Jr's, the symbolism within the forest influences Goodman Brown through, "The movement away from Faith, marking his own loss of faith can be traced to the forest scene . . ." (332). The symbolism of negative influence of the forest is obvious through:

"He had taken a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest which barely stood aside to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind" (Hawthorne 396).

The dreariness and the darkness within the forest is symbolic for evil influence that Goodman Brown will encounter. Also indicative of a negative influence, the narrow path indicates that Goodman Brown is in the presence of evil and surrounded by evil. This influence of evil will ultimately lead to a revelation that Goodman Brown is not aware in the beginning of the story.

Throughout the course of his journey, Goodman Brown fell victim to both good and evil influences. The symbolism within the names of Goodman Brown, the name of his wife Faith, and the forest provide influence as individuals journey through life which is applied through the author Nathanial Hawthorne. Goodman Brown's transition is symbolic of an young individual entering the real world. Enticement of unknowing may or may not lead to an unexpected knowing, such as in "Young Goodman Brown."

Works Cited

Hawthrone, Nathaniel. "Young Goodman Brown." Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs. 8^th ed. Upper Saddle River; Prentice Hall, 207. 395

Walsh Jr., Thomas F. "The Bedeviling of Young Goodman Brown." Modern Language Quarterly 19.4 (2003): 331-336. Academic Journals. EBSCOhost. Walters State Community College. 14 Feb 2008