Professor D’Amato
Approaches to Literature
9 October 2014
“Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne Literary Analysis In “Young Goodman Brown”, Nathaniel Hawthorne incorporates symbolism, imagery, allegory, in order to underscore his themes of the hypocrisy of public morality and the inevitable loss of innocence. The short story takes places in Salem, MA during not only the Salem Witch Trials of 1962, but moreover the Puritan Intolerance and King Phillip’s War. Such a time is considered to be one of the most outlandish periods in Puritan history, directly concerning it to the events in which take leave within the story. Hawthorne’s abounding use of symbolism directly ripostes his deep theme so as to the fact that …show more content…
At the time that Goodman Brown is primarily approached by the dark figure in the forest, Goodman is informed he is late and retorts, "Faith kept me back awhile" (141). Once more, the name of his wife represents Goodman Brown's own faith and demonstrates that he had to negotiate it to even go into the forest. Goodman Brown comes into contact with many characters heading toward the meeting place and is astonished to discover that several of them are people of great status, both in the religious and governmental society. Hawthorne, here, illustrates that all people are sinners, no matter how they may appear superficially or what stance they cling to in society. Foremost, Goodman Brown sees Goody Cloyse, in which she is depicted as "a very pious and exemplary dame" (142). Goodman Brown is utterly taken aback at the fact that Goody Cloyse would be out in the dark due to the fact that she had taught him his catechism ( preliminary teaching of the Bible in the Christian religion). Thus, proposing that Goodman Brown's faith is beginning to weaken for the reason that, witnessing Goody Cloyse gives you an idea about the weakness of the foundation of his faith. Even though Goodman Brown endeavors to keep his high-quality faith, when he sees the town minister and Deacon Gookin, he demonstratsa his faith is undermined