The Theme Of Faith In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

“Things are not always what they seem”, this popular euphemism is used in towards all aspects of life and to the misfortune of many english students is especially used in reference to literature. An author’s intricate use of allegory and symbolism, transforms simple characters and objects into major themes and motifs that extend pass the page and ultimately comments on human nature. A prime example of this literary technique is Hawthorne’’s story “Young Goodman Brown”. Hawthorne’s character of Faith is not only the main character’s wife but symbol of his personal faith but serves as a comment on female purity in the puritan community as well. The story begins at dusk in Salem where are young newly married man, Young Goodman Brown, regretfully

Prior to entering the forest Brown demonstrates a strong sense of faith. Hawthorne uses the name of Brown’s wife, Faith, as a symbol of Brown 's own faith throughout the story, as shown by his description of her "And Faith, as the wife was aptly named, thrust her own pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap" (CITE THIS). She like Brown’s faith is innocent, young, pure and sheltered. He is only is able to see the goodness in others. Goodman Brown sets off on his journey with "excellent resolve for the future" (CITE), and “[feels] himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose" (CITE). Although he knows he is about to partake in a sinful act(meeting the devil), Goodman Brown 's believes that not only his faith will bring him home safely but his wife’s faith will as well. Faith serves as a symbol of his faith in religion and resisting the temptation of Evil. When she asks him to stay, he almost does, showing that, his faith in his religion almost held him back from giving into temptation. A women protaying religious faith was popular idea among the puritan community and is referred to a female purity. Female purity believes that the acts a man’s wife will redeem him in the eyes of the lord. Basically it was the woman’s job to remain pure and faithful as she was the moral pillar for the entire family. Any man could rely on a woman’s

As displayed by her signature pink ribbons, "And Faith . . . thrust her own pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons in her cap," the color pink demonstrates her innocence and purity. This explain’s Brown’s fascination with Faith’s morality throughout the story. Goodman Brown clings to the idea of Faith’s purity throughout his trials in the forest, swearing that as long as Faith remains holy, he can find it in himself to resist the devil, because even if he fall into the devil’s grasp Faith(both figurative and literally) will save him. Thus as the pink ribbon flutters down from the sky, Goodman Brown perceives it as a sign that Faith has definitely fell into the grasp of the devil,and has completely lost her purity and innocence. Thus as Faith’s purity dissolves, Goodman Brown loses any chance to save his wife. While in the story he is talking about Faith, his wife, but allegorically, the author is showing us that Brown has lost his faith in man because he gives up the world to the devil.As he yells “Faith! Faith! Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked One!" (CITE). Young Goodman Brown attempts not only to save his wife, but his attempt to save his inner faith and look for something blessed to cling to. Unable to do so, he becomes bitter and unable to see the good in anyone. Hawthorne’s story becomes an allegory as shows the changes in a man 's outlook when