nathaniel hawthorne young goodman brown summary

AnalysisĬommonly understood themes in Young Goodman Brown have included the pervasiveness and secrecy of sin and evil alive within all people, and the hypocrisy of Puritanism. Since the “night of that fearful dream” Goodman Brown became a dark and gloomy man, who saw nothing but blasphemy all around him. He sees Faith, but passes without acknowledging her. He runs into many people he saw in the forest – the Deacon, Goody Cloyse - all acting as if nothing had happened. The next morning, Goodman Brown arrives back in town, bewildered about the events from the previous night. Before the figure could lay the mark of baptism on Goodman Brown, he called to Faith to “look up to Heaven, and resist the wicked one.” Immediately, he finds himself alone in the forest. The cloaked woman is revealed to be Faith. The figure revealed them all as sinners, noting that “evil is the nature of mankind. A dark figure prepares to welcome them into the fold, pointing to the crowd behind them - the crowd Young Goodman Brown had reverenced from youth. Goodman Brown is led to the altar, where a cloaked female figure is also led. Many of the town’s most honorable members were present, as were some of the least welcomed – the sinners and criminals. There, he sees an altar, surrounded by four blazing trees.

“Maddened with despair”, Goodman Brown rushes forth into the forest, laughing louder and louder, until he reaches the gathering. A pink ribbon – Faith’s ribbon – flutters down form above.

He shouts her name, but hears only a echoes, and then silence. Goodman Brown begins to hear voices, and among them, the lamentations of Faith. As he sits, Goodman Brown thinks he hears the minister and Deacon Gookin on horseback discussing the night’s meeting and a young woman who would be taken into communion that night. The staff, too, seems to take life.Īfter a while, Goodman Brown sits down, determined to not go any father. His companion begins to resemble the devil, while the woman, a witch. Along the path, they see a woman, Goody Cloyse, who taught Goodman Brown his catechism. But, his companion tells him that his father and grandfather had walked along the same path, as well as other important townspeople, such as the governor. Time and again, Goodman Brown protests the trip, insisting that he must turn around. His companion wore simple clothing, but carried a staff that resembled a great black snake and seemed to move like a living serpent. He ventures into the gloomy forest of Salem, and is soon approached by a man of about fifty, to whom he bears a strange resemblance. Faith asks him to stay, but Goodman Brown says he must leave, just for the evening. Young Goodman Brown, a young and innocent man, bids farewell to his young wife, Faith.

Nathaniel hawthorne young goodman brown summary