Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper
Life is, and always has been, a battle between good and evil. From the time we are small children, we are taught the differences between wrong and right, between bad and good. Nathaniel Hawthorne recognized this eternal battle, and his short story ?Young Goodman Brown? is an excellent example of what a battle it can be. Central to this battle is the factor of good, in this case, the factor of Faith. While Faith is the name of Young Goodman Brown?s wife, she becomes the symbol for all that is holy and pure in a town filled with evil. The flowing pink ribbons in her hair are the ultimate symbol of that purity. From beginning to end, they represent the faith that Young Goodman Brown fights so hard to preserve.
Hawthorne makes it a point to let the importance of the pink ribbons be known to the reader from the beginning of the story. In the first passage, we are introduced to Faith, the wife of Young Goodman Brown. ??Faith?thrust her pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap?? (196). From this line, one can imagine a beautiful young woman, filled with innocence. The way the wind plays with the ribbons suggests they are light and free, flowing in a gentle breeze. Hawthorne goes on to connect Faith?s purity with the ribbons. ? ?Then, God bless you!? said Faith, with the pink ribbons??(197). There is an intentional connection being created between God and the pink ribbons. As Faith pleads for Goodman Brown to stay with her, we are aware that there is danger in the alternative. Faith represents all that is godly and pure, and yet Goodman Brown still makes the decision to go into the dark forest. Hawthorne makes the connection yet another time, after Goodman Brown makes his decision to go into the forest. ??he looked back, and saw the head of Faith still peeping after him, with a melancholy air, despite the pink ribbons? (197). This line shows that Faith is concerned for the fate of Young Goodman Brown. Despite her purity, she was not able to prevent him from going into the forest, and she is not able to protect him once there.
As Young Goodman Brown ventures deeper and deeper into the forest of evil, he begins to realize what a mistake he has made. He makes feeble attempt after feeble attempt to turn around and go back to his lovely Faith. His dark companion leads him further yet into the forest, and he comes across Goody Cloyce, a saintly old woman, or so he thought her to be. It was upon seeing her journey into sin that Goodman Brown puts his foot down and refuses to go deeper into the forest. Before he can prepare to make his return, however, he hears more voices ? voices of the minister, of the Deacon, and of countless churchgoers. He is in complete disbelief that these people, who share praises in God every Sunday, could be partaking in the evil set to occur that night in the forest. Just at the moment where he wants nothing more than to escape the evil and return to his Faith, something unbelievable happens: ?There was one voice of a young woman?with an uncertain sorrow?[and] saints and sinners seemed to encourage her onward? (202). Goodman Brown recognized his wife?s voice and screams for her, ?in a voice of agony and desperation? (202). Her reply was ?a scream, drowned immediately in a louder murmur of voices? (202), which fades into silence. In utter confusion, with the knowledge that his beloved Faith is among these sinners, Goodman Brown waits in shock. Has his Faith become one of them? He soon receives the answer to that question. ?Something fluttered lightly down through the air, and caught on the branch of a tree. The young man seized it, and beheld a pink ribbon?(202). The pink ribbon, which epitomizes everything good and pure about Faith, has been stripped from her head. Without her shroud of purity, she is vulnerable to the evils that lurk in the forest. Goodman Brown becomes maddened with despair, shouting, ?My Faith is gone!?(202). The pink ribbon motivates Brown to press on through the forest in an attempt to save his wife from evil.
Whether or not Young Goodman Brown is able to save his Faith could be considered a matter of debate. Brown encounters evils beyond compare in the forest. He is witness to all the townsman and townswoman, good and bad, all partaking in utter sin. As fires burn high, and evil runs wild, Young Goodman Brown makes a final plea to his beloved Faith. ? ?Faith! Faith!? cried the husband. ?Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked one!? ? (205). It as at this point that Brown finds himself in a much different forest, one without evil chants; one without fire. He does not know what to believe. The images in his head, however, are far too sinister to forget. Even as he sees Faith in the street, ?with the pink ribbons,? He is unable to shake the image of her as a convert to an evil association. Hawthorne uses the image of the pink ribbons in this passage to demonstrate that her purity is still in tact. She still possesses the ribbons, which have been established to symbolize all that is good and pure. One could interpret this in one of two ways. Option one: Faith never lost her pink ribbons of purity, as Young Goodman Brown was merely dreaming the whole forest scenario up. Option two: Faith wore the pink ribbons of purity in an effort to mask the evil doings she has partaken in the previous night. While I chose to believe option one, it is apparent that Young Goodman Brown opted for the latter. In fact, he could never shake the images he saw that night. From that day on, he saw the whole town in a dark, sinister light. His rejection of Faith, as well as faith, led to an unhappy life, and a hopeless, gloomy death.
This tragedy shows us just how much even the shadow of evil can shade the light of good. Faith represented all that was good in Brown?s life. Her flowing pink ribbons reminded us continuously of her purity. When Brown caught that pink ribbon in the forest he knew his wife?s soul was at stake, and he did everything in his power to save her. In the end, we still see Faith in all her glory, pink ribbons still flowing gracefully in the breeze. Brown, however is plagued with the vision of Faith, ribbonless, in the pulpits of fire and sin. What we are left with is indeed tragic, because though we recognize that purity still exists in those pink ribbons, Brown does not ? And in this round, evil does conquer.
Другие работы по теме:
Faith Essay Research Paper 2
Faith Essay, Research Paper “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). Goodman Brown did not have faith. He did not have religious faith nor faith in his fellow human beings in Salem. And because he didn’t have faith he was became vulnerable to the “flaming arrows of the evil one”.
Keeping The Faith Essay Research Paper Keeping
Keeping The Faith Essay, Research Paper Keeping the FaithIn the short story “Young Goodman Brown,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Goodman Brown dared to venture into the forest and expose himself to the trickery of the devil. During Goodman Brown’s journey the devil planted the seed of doubt in him, causing Brown to have ambigious thoughts about loved ones, fellow towns-people, and God.
Young Goodman Brown 2 Essay Research
Paper If there is one thing to learn from Nathaniel Hawthorne s Young Goodman Brown then it would have to be that there is a little bit of evil in every aspect of life. In the short story, Goodman Brown leaves his wife Faith, who is aptly named , behind to go on a journey into the forest to meet with the devil (102). Along his journey he comes across several members of his town and family.
The Allegory Of Young Goodman Brown Essay
, Research Paper In Hawthorne s Young Goodman Brown, the characters and settings are used to show allegory. The characters and setting are used in metaphor to represent something else. The whole story of Young Goodman Brown, represents the journey of everyman. It s path that everyone follows, or so Hawthorne seems to believe.
Underlining Meaning Of Young Goodman Brown Essay
, Research Paper Underlining meaning of Young Goodman BrownThe story about young goodman Brown centers around the allegory, or parable, of a man pitted against his past and his desires to reach beyond his heaven, that has surrounded him in darkness, which would eventually be put before him. The allegory is Christian due to the references in Young Goodman Brown to the devil and Satan; it only seems logical that the essence of the story is based upon the religious imagery of Hawthorne’s New England in the times of Salem and active religious conflict.
A Tale Of Evil Essay Research Paper
Nathaniel Hawthorne is considered by many a great writer. Hawthorne’s use of imagery captures the reader’s attention and holds it throughout the story, such as the reader will experience in the tale of Young Goodman Brown. In the fable of Young Goodman Brown the reader is thrown into a twist of good versus evil.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper Matt
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper Matt Hamacher YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN This story is one that is well-written while at the same time one that makes you think. We observe the main character, Goodman Brown, a somewhat common man, go from seeking goodness and perfection to the exact opposite: ending up in total failure and alienating himself from humanity.
John Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper The
John Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper The main focus of the story Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne is the triumph of evil over good. A supposedly good man is tempted by evil and allows himself to be converted into a man of evil. In this short story, the area where the devil resides is in the forest.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper Throughout
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper Throughout the story, Brown lacks emotion as a normal person would have had. The closest Brown comes to showing an emotion is when “a hanging twig, that had been all on fire, besprinkled his cheek with the coldest dew.” The dew on his cheek represents a tear that Brown is unable to produce because of his lack of emotion.
Goodman Vs Robin Essay Research Paper Separate
Goodman Vs Robin Essay, Research Paper Separate Journeys Michael Freel Short stories, when written by the same author, vary by subject but sometimes contain similar themes. Nathaniel Hawthorne was an entertaining writer who wrote many such stories. Two among his works have some striking similarities. “Young Goodman Brown” and “My Kinsman, Major Molineux” both were written within three years of each other by Hawthorne (1832-1835).
Goodman Essay Research Paper Justin WrayEnglish Composition
Goodman Essay, Research Paper Justin Wray English Composition 2 Mr. Eustis 5/28/00 The Theme of “Young Goodman Brown” What is theme? Theme is what the author is saying about the subject of the story. In “Young Goodman Brown” the subject of the story is hypocrisy. In “Young Goodman Brown”, Hawthorne writes in detail how hypocrisy can change a person for the worse.
A Changed Goodman Essay Research Paper A
A Changed Goodman Essay, Research Paper A Changed Goodman “Young Goodman Brown” is universally accepted as one of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s best short stories. It deals with such themes as good versus evil, loss of innocence, and coping with reality. The internal struggle that Brown goes through leads him to an emotional roller coaster.
Faith Vs Temptation Essay Research Paper Faith
Faith Vs. Temptation Essay, Research Paper Faith vs. Temptation Temptation, at one time or another, has touched all of our lives. What made us choose one path over the other? Was it your faith in God, your knowing of what was right and wrong, or was it the influences of the loved ones you not only surround yourself with, but the one you have trusted to lead down the straight and narrow.
Hawthorne
’s Pride Of Intellect Essay, Research Paper Hawthorns Pride of Intellect Many of Hawthorne’s characters wrap themselves in a pride of intellect. The characters
English 101 Essay Research Paper In comparing
English 101 Essay, Research Paper In comparing and contrasting the stories ?Worn Path? and ?Young GoodMann Brown?. Several things come to mind . We see that both authors use a lot of symbolism
The Evil That Men Do Essay Research
Paper The Evil That Men Do The story ?Young Goodman Brown? is one that examines the true disposition of mankind. In the story, the devil declares that ?Evil is the nature of mankind.? However, there are many other elements in the story that point to the author?s belief in this statement. From the moment Goodman Brown leaves his wife, Faith, and throughout the rest of the narrative, we are shown that evil prevails in all people.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper Short
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper Short Story Paper: Thematic Illustration Young Goodman Brown Nathaniel Hawthorne comes from an interesting background. He was born in Salem and later returned to live there. He was a descendant of William Hathorne, a puritan judge who persecuted Quakers, and John Hathorne, a puritan magistrate who participated in the Salem witch trials.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper The
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper The short story ?Young Goodman Brown? by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a story of a man, Goodman Brown, who comes to find out that the people he surrounds himself with are not perfect. During a journey testing his faith, a traveler, the devil, is able to use Brown?s naivete against him.
Judgement In Nathaniel Hawthorne
’s Young Goodman Brown And The Birthmark Essay, Research Paper English, Hawthorne: Judging Others Some consider judgement the greatest sin that man can commit; Judgement occurs when one man criticizes another, or nature. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown and The Birthmark, judgement becomes a reoccurring theme.
Analysis Of Nathaniel Hawthorne
’s Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper ld be at my very elbow” symbolizes that the forest is a mysterious and frightful place (244). With the words, “staff, which bore the likeness of a great black snake” (244) and “The moment his fingers touched them, they became strangely withered and dried up as with a week s sunshine” symbolizes the devil (246).
Nathaniel HawthorneS Young Goodman Brown Essay Research
Paper Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne?s ?Young Goodman Brown? Nathaniel Hawthorne?s ?Young Goodman Brown? is a story about a man and his faith. Goodman Brown ventures on a journey into the forest where his faith is tested, as he attempts to resist the temptations of the devil whereupon he returns to his home and wife.
Young Goodman Brown 7 Essay Research Paper
Young Goodman Brown Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne contains much symbolism. The symbols take many forms from the setting to the characters. The symbols can be viewed as just part of the story line, but apon further thought they represent many different things.
Symbolism In Young Goodman Brown
” Essay, Research Paper In “Young Goodman Brown” Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism and irony to illustrate the theme of man, oblivious that sin is an inescapable part of human nature, attempting to escape from sin. The idea that mankind is perfectible, or perhaps that good Puritans are without imperfection, seems to dominate the worldview of Hawthorne’s Puritan everyman, Young Goodman Brown.
Untitled Essay Research Paper Young Goodman Brownby
Untitled Essay, Research Paper Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel HawthorneIn short stories, I have learned that there is much more than what at first meets the eye. Almost everything in the story has meaning. All I
Tritts View Of Young Goodman Brown Essay
, Research Paper In the article, ??Young Goodman Brown? and the Psychology of Projection?, Michael Tritt critically analyzes Nathaniel Hawthorne?s ?Young Goodman Brown? to construct the process of how Hawthorne regards Goodman Brown?s behavior. Tritt examines the phenomenon of projection in psychology and believes that ?Brown?s compulsive condemnation of others, along with his consistent denial of his own culpability, illustrates a classically defined case of projection? (116).
A Man Is Hard To Find Essay
, Research Paper A “Good” Man Is Hard To Find By: Veronica Roland E-mail: TwinVee2000@collegeclub A “Goodman” Is Hard To Find I had never really analyzed any work of literature before this class. I read books and stories for fun but never to analyze them. I now understand that in any piece of literature there is always a background or hidden agenda that the author wants the reader to get from the reading.
Young Goodman Brown And Rrppaccini
’s Daughter / Comparsion/Contrast Essay, Research Paper Young Goodman Brown and Giovanni in “Rappaccini’s Daughter portray now characters in a story can be manipulated by the forces of good and evil. Examining the character theme of these two short stories, comparsions of the characters of Giovanni and Young Goodman Brown are closely aligned with the destiny of each bing similar and tragic.
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay Research Paper Hawthorne
Hawthorne And Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Hawthorne and Symbolism Symbolism is a key in all or most writings. Symbolism is what the reader needs in order to use his imagination. In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, through different symbolism, Hawthorne writes about a man who in his coming of age.
Young Goodman Brown 2 Essay Research Paper
Young Goodman Brown was an interesting story because of its setting, characters, and plot. The story was set in the late Puritan Era when people were scared of the woods due to the mysterious witches and savage Indians. Puritans really liked true colors such as white and red. If white was worn it meant pure but if red was worn it meant evil.
Symbolism In Hawthorn
’s “Young Goodman Brown” Essay, Research Paper Jessie Reed English 253 September 19, 2001 Symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” is full of symbolism throughout the story. Perhaps the most interesting examples of symbolism include the title character, Young Goodman Brown, as well as his wife, Faith, and the woods that Young Goodman Brown enters on his journey.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper A
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper A True RomanceVS. Young Goodman Brown Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his short story, “Young Goodman Brown”, generates a relationship in direct contrast with that of a true romance among the roles of Faith and Young Goodman Brown. Whereas, a
Young Goodman Brown 2
Young Goodman Brown – Losing Faith Essay, Research Paper In the book Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Goodman Brown wife’s name is important to the story because Goodman Brown loses his faith but his wife Faith keeps her faith. The story takes place in a puritan town in Salem back when there believed to be witches.
The Faith Of Young Goodman Brown Essay
, Research Paper Timothy Wenk Bailey Engl. 1302 16 Feb. 2000 The Faith of Young Goodman Brown Faith, and the struggle to keep it, is the theme of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown.” In this story, Hawthorne gives Goodman Brown’s wife the name of Faith for the obvious symbolism and irony it creates.
Perceptions Of Faith In Young Goodman Brown
Essay, Research Paper Perceptions of Faith in ?Young Goodman Brown? Throughout ones journey in life, our individual perceptions of faith in God, in mankind, and in ourselves, guide us along our path. In the absence of clarity of our faith, one is led to believe the norm is what proves to be popular within a society.