Mood And Atmosphere In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes several literary tools in order to create a certain atmosphere and mood in “Young Goodman Brown.” This story is about a kind and humble man, who leaves his wife, Faith, in order to go into the woods one night. In the woods, Goodman meets a mysterious traveler, who exhibits supernatural and somewhat evil qualities. Throughout the story, Goodman and the traveler venture deeper into the woods and find Goodman’s well-known, pious acquaintances and eventually, his wife. The couple participates in a devil-worshipping ceremony and they are never the same. Throughout the story, Hawthorne creates a dark atmosphere and mood through his settings, imagery, symbolism, and word choice.

Hawthorne applies the use of setting in order to add to the frightening mood and atmosphere. It is stated, “He had taken a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest, which barely stood aside to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind” (Hawthorne 620). This illustrates Goodman going further into the woods and being enveloped in the thicket of the trees. The quote represents the darkness enclosing Goodman. Through this, the

reader feels a growing sense of fear and alertness. In addition, the reading states, “The road grew wilder and drearier and more faintly traced, and vanished at length, leaving him in the heart of the dark wilderness, still rushing onward with the instinct that guides mortal man to evil” (Hawthorne 625). This quote contributes to creating a haunted setting by continuing the idea that the forest is almost swallowing Goodman. It seems that the further into the woodland he goes, the less likely it is that he will come out unchanged. In addition, there is an incredibly lonely feeling to the setting. Goodman has become isolated from his wife and the people of the town; he is on his own now. Overall, Hawthorne creates a setting that contributes to the overall ominous mood of the story.
Additionally, Hawthorne shapes the mood and atmosphere by adopting a use of dark imagery. It is stated, “But the only thing about him that could be fixed upon as remarkable was his staff, which bore the likeness of a great black snake, so curiously wrought that it might almost be seen to twist and wriggle itself like a living serpent” (Hawthorne 621). This quote causes the reader to clearly picture the traveler’s frightening staff. This object in particular, helps mold a picture of the creepy traveler. The staff is central to revealing the wickedness of the traveler’s character. Hawthorne goes on to state, “The whole forest was peopled with frightful sounds—the creaking of the trees, the howling of wild beasts, and the yell of Indians; while sometimes the wind tolled … as if all Nature were laughing him to scorn” (Hawthorne 625). Here, the reader can picture the threatening sounds that are occurring around Goodman; it is almost as if the reader is hearing these sounds as well. The reader is pulled into the story even more and is experiencing the terrifying events. Thus, Hawthorne furthers the eerie mood and atmosphere through imagery.
Next, Hawthorne incorporates symbolism in order to develop the mood and atmosphere of the story.

Most of “Young Goodman Brown” is based upon symbolic meanings. For example, the names, Goodman and Faith, represent a kind husband and his religious and philosophical faith. At one point, Goodman tells the traveler that Faith made him late to their meeting (Hawthorne 620). This illustrates how his good nature and faith in God kept him from meeting the devil so soon. At the end of this story, Goodman claims that he lost his wife, Faith (Hawthorne 625). Through this, Hawthorne shows how Goodman ultimately loses his faith in God and belief in good. Another symbol in “Young Goodman Brown” is the forest. It is stated, that Goodman “passed on through the forest, where no church had ever been gathered or

solitary
Christian prayed” (Hawthorne 624). This quote paints the forest as property of the devil or even hell. This makes sense, because it is where corrupt people go to meet and interact with the devil. Thus, throughout “Young Goodman Brown,” Hawthorne portrays the mood and atmosphere through spooky symbolism.
Hawthorne’s word choice greatly contributes to the overall overcast mood and atmosphere of the story. At one point, he refers to the road as “dreary” and the trees as “gloomy” (Hawthorne 620). Goodman also overhears men, “talking so strangely in the empty air” (Hawthorne 624). These words create a dark mood and atmosphere, which the reader cannot escape from. This mood hangs over the entire story. In addition, Goodman’s words accurately describe the horrible gathering. He says that he feels a “heavy sickness of his heart” and hears an “awful harmony” (Hawthorne 624, 625). Goodman describes the devil worshipers as “A grave and dark-clad company” (Hawthorne 626). This word choice illustrates the fearsome nature of the group. This causes the reader to beg Goodman to turn around and escape. To solidify the dreadful nature of the story, Hawthorne states, “for his dying hour was gloom” (628). Goodman had permanently lost his faith and lived out the rest of his days in unhappiness. This perfectly fits the tone of the story. Therefore, the haunting word choice enhances the mood and atmosphere of “Young Goodman Brown.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne creates a dark atmosphere and mood through his settings, imagery, symbolism, and word choice. He forms the setting of a dark forest that closes in on the main character. The imagery in the story causes the reader to experience the terrifying events that unfold throughout the story. The symbolism adds an air of looming mystery. Finally, Hawthorne’s word choice cements the evil theme. Each of these aspects adds to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s meticulous unraveling of the mood and atmosphere of “Young Goodman Brown.”