Deception And Sin In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

In his short story, “Young Goodman Brown,” Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts a young man’s struggle with deception and sin. Hawthorne begins his tale with the parting of a young married couple, Goodman Brown, and Faith. As the couple exchange goodbyes, it appears that they have apprehensive thoughts concerning the journey Goodman Brown is taking that night. However, Goodman Brown ignores his unease and leaves Faith at home to set out “on his present evil purpose” (Hawthorne 869). Further into his traveling, Goodman Brown voices his decision to return home. His mysterious companion leaves him alone to make a final decision on whether he wants to continue his journey. As Goodman Brown thinks about going home, he believes he hears Faith 's voice. He panics, believing he lost Faith and decides to go on. Following the sound of voices, he discovers a gathering of people he recognizes as members of his church and sinners. Among the familiar faces is Faith standing beside him, and he instructs her to “resist the wicked one” (Hawthorne 876). After waking in the forest, Goodman Brown finds himself doubting the events that happened as well as his previous Christian beliefs. Hawthorne presents Goodman Brown’s thoughts and actions in a melancholic tone throughout the story to serve as an example of what it
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One of the first things he says, "My love and my Faith . . . this one night must I tarry away from thee," symbolizes the first time he strays from his faith in the story (Hawthorne 868). As he walks further into the woods Goodman Brown feels he should return home to his Faith; however, Hawthorne notes that Goodman Brown “unconsciously [resumes] his walk” (870). While Goodman and Faith stand together at the front of the gathering in the woods, he feels his faith in good restored. Nonetheless, the events that took place have a long-lasting effect on