Nathaniel Hawthornes
Young Goodman Brown
Faith is only as strong as the individuals themselves. Goodman Brown and his journey is an ideal example of how people, even Puritanism itself is venerable to sin and temptation when the opportunity is presented. The short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an allegorical story that depicts the innate depravity of man and women through the ability to see everyones transgressions.
Goodman Browns wife, Faith represents the Faith of man. His wife with the pink ribbons in her hair represents purity, faith and the ultimate good in people. What a wretch am I, to leave her on such an errand! (606) Well; shes a blessed angel on earth; and after this one night, Ill cling to her skirts and follow her to heaven (606) Goodman Brown knows that he should not go on this journey but yet he refuses to listen to his wife and continues on for he is lead by temptation. Talking to himself he says, Methough, as she spoke, there was trouble in her face, as if a dream had warned her what work is to be done to-night. (606) He knows not of what is to come, but his curiosity is carrying him forward. Curiosity of man is where we are weak because we hunger for the contentment of the unknown. that they might be partakers of the mystery of sin, more conscious of the secret guilt of others, both in deed and thought, than they could now be of their own. (613-614) Goodman Brown feels confident though because at this very moment his faith is strong but yet untested. And until you actually test you faith or test your thoughts you will never know the outcome and always have that feeling wonder or the feeling of doubt. This is the reason for him continuing on with his journey.
His faith is also reaffirmed because of his childhood upbringing with good Christian values. None of his family member has ever given into temptation (so he believes). With that great burden on his shoulders he does not want to bring shame upon the family name Brown. Pondering that though in his mind he poses the question to himself, And shall I be the first of the name of Brown, that ever took this path, and kept-. Just by that action of doubt he is growing weaker as every moment passes. He starts to question his faith and everything that he has been though. The basic principles and concepts of his Christian values are being tested, and now doubt begins to hinder his ability to decipher what is right or wrong. Nevertheless Goodman Brown tries to rebuild his dying faith. We are people of prayer, and good works, to boot, and abide no such wickedness.
Young Goodman Brown and his journey emulate man and the constant battles they face. It shows that man is weak and when man is pushed to the limit he still has the agency to choose right from wrong, good from evil. Having no faith is to say you have no purpose, belief in nothing means you will fall for anything. By Goodman Brown holding on to his faith and the thought of his wife, this helps to comfort him and keep him at ease, while constantly battling the wicked temptations of the devil.
Thus far, the elder traveler had listened with due gravity, but now burst into a fit of irrepressible mirth, shaking himself so violently, that his snake-like staff actually seemed to wriggle in sympathy.(608) With no indication of giving up the devil gets frustrated and angry because of Goodman Browns conviction to faith. For he [devil] knows that he is unable to make you sin because of your agency you hold as man. Which makes temptation his greatest weapon. It shall be yours to penetrate, in Temptation can come in many forms, at times vague and others bluntly. But Hawthorne in this short story used Goodmans family and community, along with his wifes ribbon as a temptation to lure Goodman Brown to the gathering in the woods. By using things you hold dear to your heart and manipulating them in ways that you begin to doubt, it leads you to have uncertainty. The devil stated, I helped your grandfather, the constable, when he lashed the Quaker woman so smartly through the streets of Salem. (607) and It was I that brought your father a pitch-pine knot, kindled at my own hearth, to set fire to an Indian village, in king Philips war. (607) Ultimately the turning point which lead to the complete loss of faith was seeing his wifes pink ribbon in the in the branch of a tree. He cried out with despair, My Faith is gone! (611)
Through out the story Goodman Browns faith is constantly tested. By him finally giving into temptation and losing his faith, this became his ultimate demise. His thoughts of uncertainty cause blindness to his own religion and to the people around him. The puzzled mind of Goodman Brown is unable to determine if it was reality or merely a dream. Armed now with the ability to see sin in everyman and a new conviction in his new unannounced faith. By the sympathy of your human hearts for sin, ye shall scent out all the placeswhether in church, bed-chamber, street, field, or forestwhere crime has been committed, and shall exult to behold the whole earth one stain of guilt, one mighty blood-spot. It shall e yours to penetrate, in every bosom, the deep mystery of sin, the fountain of all wicked arts, and which, inexhaustibly supplies more evil impulses than human powerthan my power at its utmost!can make manifest in deeds. And now my children, look upon each other.(613) This changes him and paves the road for the rest of his life. Always judging people instead of looking at himself first. But that is what sin does and is, making you choose with the agency you have to do an immoral act.
Faith is only as strong as the individuals themselves. The curiosity of man is what causes their faith to be tested, and only until their faith is tested will they know how strong their faith is. Goodman Brown and his journey is an ideal example of how people, even Puritanism itself is venerable to sin and temptation when the opportunity is presented. Everyman has the agency to choose right or wrong. The devil has only the ability to temp you, but you hold the overall choice. The short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an allegorical story that depicts the innate depravity of man and women through the ability to see everyones transgressions. No man or women is perfect, it is impossible to be. But by looking at yourself first instead of judging other, you have the ability to change.
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