From the Bookshelf of English 2341 Spring 2015 Class…

Young Goodman Brown

Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Mar 03, 2015 Lindsay Shubin rated it really liked it

Young Goodman Brown is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne written in 1835 that takes place in Salem Village. This story has is about a man that leaves his faith for a short period of time, but is forever changed. I appreciated this story because it brings to light something that may be considered a taboo subject, which is the justification felt by religious entities to eliminate evil through killing. Various examples through the centuries show us the best intentions, whatever the motivations, Young Goodman Brown is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne written in 1835 that takes place in Salem Village. This story has is about a man that leaves his faith for a short period of time, but is forever changed. I appreciated this story because it brings to light something that may be considered a taboo subject, which is the justification felt by religious entities to eliminate evil through killing. Various examples through the centuries show us the best intentions, whatever the motivations, do not excuse egregious actions.

In the story, Young Goodman Brown leaves his bride, Faith, shortly before evening to make to a journey. This journey takes Mr. Brown down a dark, gloomy road where he meets a familiar stranger. Together they continue down this dark path talking all the while. This stranger goes on to tell Mr. Brown of his acquaintance with various individual, including Mr. Brown’s father and grandfather. It becomes apparent that this figure has accompanied many individuals in times of darkness. Mr. Brown seems doubtful of what he hears. It is about this time they come upon a Christian lady known by Mr. Brown. He watches from the bushes while this ominous figure approaches the older lady with familiarity. By observing their interchange Mr. Brown learns that she is a witch and his walking companion is the devil. He then sees religious individuals traveling in the same direction as the witch, en route to a ceremony. Disheartened, he begins to think about returning to Faith. However, her pink ribbons fall from the sky perhaps indicating she has died. He later sees Faith at the pagan ceremony and attempts to strengthen her by crying out: “Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked one!” The following morning Mr. Brown wanders through the street in a stupor, changed forever. He sees Faith eager to greet him, but continues down the street without greeting her. His relationship with Faith could never be the same, and after a gloomy existence Mr. Brown eventually died.

The setting of Salem is significant because the witch trials had taken place in the late 1600 resulting in the death of many innocent people. This was an attempt to drive out evil by a religious group. Though the intent may have been good, with participants believing their actions being divinely justified, they ended up being the ones to commit evil acts. This story also has events that are somewhat parallel to events in the Garden of Eden. Young Goodman Brown was tempted, just as Eve was tempted. They both displayed a curiosity, which subsequently let down a path of no return. Young Goodman Brown leaves his wife Faith, which could be considered symbolic of leaving his religious faith. However, he does not want Faith to come to any harm and anticipates a return to good by saying: “And what calm sleep would be his…purely and sweetly now, in the arms of Faith”. Even though he seems to be unsure if the events were real or from “a wild dream of a witch-meeting”, his actions show he is shaken from the experience. Upon seeing the minister, “he shrank from the venerable saint to avoid an” official curse. Sadly, even after Brown returns to his wife, his Faith, doubt and suspicion prevail throughout the remainder of his life.

The change seem in Young Goodman Brown can also be observed in many individuals who have turned from religion. After witnessing questionable acts, an individual’s faith may be shaken and replaced with doubt and suspicion. Brown’s story could have been written to encourage individuals to not repeat mistakes of the past, but instead to think for ourselves and analyze actions, their motivations, and consequences. ...more

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