Catechism In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

In the exposition, Goodman Brown becomes doubtful of his ancestors, but he still trusts Faith and the Puritans. Firstly, he shows faith in God and his wife. Goodman Brown prompts Faith to pray before sleeping: “Say thy prayers, dear Faith, and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee” (Hawthorne 1). This quote characterizes Goodman Brown as a pious and incredulous young man because he wishes that God will protect Faith from harm. Then, Goodman Brown loses his certainty for his forefathers. When the old traveler tells him the truth, he exclaims in disbelief, “Can this be so?” (Hawthorne 4). In other words, Goodman Brown questions the faithfulness of his ancestors whom he admires. Although he starts to doubt his forefathers, Faith keeps him holy and innocent.

On their path, they pass by Goody Cloyse, a catechism teacher. After listening to the conversation between Goody Cloyse and the traveler, the narrator states, “Goodman Brown could not take cognizance” (Hawthorne 6). The statement conveys Goodman Brown loss of confidence in his catechism teacher because he does not recognize her unholy behavior. Awaken from his sleep, he returns to Salem with a corrupted mind. While Faith bursts into joy at the sight of him, he “looked sternly and sadly” and passes by “without a greeting” (Hawthorne 13). Because Goodman Brown does not trust Faith, the quote implies that Goodman Brown loses hope and sanity. In the end, Goodman Brown becomes corrupted, disillusioned, and questioning of