Guerrero 1 Alexis Guerrero Heather Wright ENG 113-970IN 30 September 2013 Young Goodman Brown The story Young

Goodman Brown describes a man whose life is doomed after going into the forest to find out what the evil meeting was about. Young Goodman Brown is symbolic in many ways. Each symbol such as Young Goodman Brown, the second traveler and his staff, and Faiths pink ribbons is important in that it is a key component in developing the character, plot, and theme of the story. Symbolism is the basis for the development of the characters in this story. As Young Goodman Brown is traveling to the Satanist meeting, he is met by a second traveler who had an indescribable air of one who knew the world, and who would not have felt abashed at the governors dinner table or in King Williams court, were it possible that his affairs should call him thither (Hawthorne 155-156 ). Hawthorne helps develop the characterthe second travelerbecause it is the likeness of the devil, who is not afraid to go into any circumstance and tempt anyone (Hawthorne 155). Another symbol of the second traveler is his staff. The story states that his staff bore the likeness of a great black snake, so curiously wrought that it might almost be seen to twist and wriggle itself like a living serpent (Hawthorne 156). This staff is symbolic of the staffs that the Egyptian magicians throw down in the court of Pharaoh when Moses shows Pharaoh the miraculous sign of his staff becoming a live serpent (Hawthorne 156). The second traveler symbolizes the devil who is like a serpent. Another symbol that represents a character in the story is the pink ribbons that Goodman Browns wife Faith wears in her cap

Guerrero 2 (Hawthorne 154). These pink ribbons represent purity. The color pink is related with innocence and joy, and ribbons are used as a modest adornment. These show that Browns wife Faith is always happy and modest. The plot is developed by symbolism as well. The story states that Goodman Brown sets off into the forest at sunset (Hawthorne 154). The further he goes into the forest, the darker it gets. This represents that when Goodman Brown makes the decision to find out what the witch meeting in the forest is about, the light of God begins to disappear. Another symbol is Goodman Browns wife Faith who is a symbol of religious faith. At the very beginning of the story, Goodman Browns wife Faith, symbolizing his religious faith, is holding him back from going on a trip into the forest (Hawthorne 155). Throughout the entire time that Brown is in the woods, he keeps thinking about his wife Faith, which is causes him to not want to go any further with the strange people he is meeting in the forest (Hawthorne 158). In both incidents, Faith represents Browns faith in God that is holding him back from going into the forest where the witch meeting is to take place. While he is in the forest, he looks up to heaven. All he sees is a black cloud, and he hears the voices of many sinners. As he hears these voices, he perceives that he hears his wife Faiths voice as well. He then asks the devil to take over (Hawthorne 159). Another symbol that develops the plot is the forest itself. The woods (forest) represent the abode of the devil. Therefore, the story of this satanic meeting taking place in the forest represents that Goodman Brown is curiously going in the woods to find out what this meeting is about. Symbolism also plays a role in the theme of the story. One theme of the story is how the devil tempts people to give to sin one time, and everything will be all right. Goodman Brown is saying farewell to his wife Faith. Faith does not want him to leave her. Brown thinks, and after this one night he will cling to her forever. With this excellent resolve for the future,

Guerrero 3 Goodman Brown felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose (Hawthorne 155). This explains that although Goodman Browns faith is trying to restrain him from giving his life to the devil, he thinks he will go on this evil errand just this once. Furthermore, the trick of the devil is to seduce people to give to sin one time and everything will be just fine. However, this is a lie. The end of the story proves that Goodman Brown loses his salvation because he continues to allow himself to be seduced by the devil to sell his soul to Satan. As Goodman Brown is on his way to the Satanist meeting, he is met by Goody Cloyse, the woman who taught him his catechism (Hawthorne 157), along with other ministers and deacons that he knows from church. These characters that Goodman Brown believes to be pious are on their way to a Satanist meeting (Hawthorne 159). One theme of the story can be derived from this part of the passage. This story shows that many people are hypocrites who claim to be walking with God, but they are following Satan himself. As Goodman Brown sees these socalled ministers, he allows himself to be seduced by the devil to continue his journey to the devilish meeting. In addition, Young Goodman Brown seems to be an individual who is of a humble and pious character, yet he loses his salvation because he does not stand strong in his faith. The story of Young Goodman Brown accurately describes the consequences of an individual who loses his salvation and strays away from God because he decides to find out what a Satanist meeting is about, and he gives his soul to the devil. Without symbolism, it would be very difficult for the character, plot, and theme of this story to be developed. Each item or character in the story is symbolic and has a meaning to it.

Guerrero 4 Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. An Introduction to Literature. Ed. Barnet Sylvan, William Burto, and William E. Cain. 16th ed. Glenview: Pearson, 2011. 154-163. Print.