Young goodman brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne analytical analysis Research Paper

Young goodman brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne analytical analysis - Research Paper Example The story is considered as one of the most widely accepted literary works which clearly explores the mischievous life of 17th century Puritan society. The theme of the story is related to the madness surrounding the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. Hawthorne presents the conflict between good and evil through the perspective of his protagonist Goodman Brown. Through the obliteration of Brown’ illusions about goodness and virtue the writer criticize social customs and manners. Hawthorne presents his protagonist as a powerful instrument to convey his thoughts and ideas about the social and religious customs which took place in 17th century Puritan society. He develops the story through the historical events like black mass, Salem Witchcrafts Trials which happened in 17th century life. Hawthorne’s short story Young Goodman Brown represents the conflicts between good and evil which explored uncertainty of Puritan beliefs in God. In the beginning of the story Hawthorne prese nts his hero as an unknown errand in the forest, who leaves Faith, his wife of three months. In this journey, he meets a man, who carries a serpent as staff in his hand. The image of thick forest in the story represents human mind with mixed feelings and beliefs. Gary Hoppenstand and Ray Broadus Browne observe; â€Å"Hawthorne’s symbolic forests reveal the very turbulence of the human mind† (Hoppenstand & Browne128). ... In this respect, critic Harold Bloom rightly comments that; â€Å"As Brown commences travelling, Hawthorne likens his forest path to the spiritual journey of a man questioning his religious faith† (Bloom 108). Brown feels he is flying through the forest with the help of an apple –wood decorated by the stranger for him. When they arrived in the middle of the forest at mid night, Brown sees the entire town people gathered there. In a state of fear and anxiety, Brown identifies that the people celebrate witches Sabbath and a kind of uncertainty and doubts defeats him .As Elizabeth Reis rightly comments; â€Å" Goodman Brown’s first steps in to the woods symbolize the ambivalence of a faithful Puritan† (Reis 199). Brown’s anxiety reaches its zenith when he sees the ceremony to baptize the new comer in to the mystery of sin. With a sudden shock, Brown recognizes the new comer –Goodman Brown and his new wife Faith. Hawthorne depicts the character o f Faith as a symbol of extreme love in the story. She symbolizes the love between man and woman, the love and devotion from man towards the mighty God. It is through her character the author discloses his adamant belief in God. His own words clarify Brown’s loyalty and trust towards his wife Faith. He says; "she's a blessed angel on earth; and after this one night, I'll cling to her skirts and follow her to heaven" (Hawthorne 9). Readers have to note the fact that Hawthorne permits his protagonist to bring his strong belief back in God through the devotion and affection towards his beloved wife Faith. But in the dream he gets frightened and disappointed in the presence of wife. Similarly, Hawthorne illustrates the image of staff as a symbol of evil in human