Goodman Brown Allegory

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Young Goodman Brown”, the tale recollects the events of one man’s complete loss of faith in the people he trusted at one time. This short story embodies various symbols, such as Goodman Brown himself, Faith and her pink ribbons, the forest and its secret to create the question whether Brown's “errand” was a dream or reality. Readers quickly realize that nothing is as it seems, the characteristics of people and objects in the story serve as extended metaphors.

Hawthorne is blatant in his allegory in order for readers to be able to understand it clearly. Through literal and allegorical meanings Hawthorne uses extensive symbolism and imagery to show the path and dangers in losing one’s faith. The forest is

Humans can be very deceiving in their appearances or actions. This seems to be the problem for the protagonist in this story because everywhere Goodman Brown looks, he sees the dual nature of everything, even in himself. Even though he is a very prideful and good-natured man, hence the title of the story. Faith worrisome nature is her stressor and is fearful for some unknown reason after Goodman Brown tells her he must run an “errand,” and begs him to delay his journey. However, he stresses he has a task that must be accomplished before sunrise. Goodman Brown then embarks on his journey into the mysterious forest. Goodman Brown is upset with himself for leaving his newly wedded wife, but resolves after this night, he will never leave her side again. He then hurries down the narrow path through the forest. Deeper in the forest Goodman Brown spies an old man, who is actually the Devil in disguise, waiting for him (Plot). The devil had “a considerable resemblance to him, though perhaps more in expression than features” (Hawthorne 71). When Brown sees well respected and well known people of the town of Salem heading to the occult, he is at complete loss of faith and tries to soak in all of the shock he is receiving. When he arrives at the occult, there is a large crowd gathered around a fire while chanting a satanic ritual. A veiled woman is led to the fire and placed next to Brown. He notices it is his wife, Faith,