Journal 12 - Young Goodman Brown

1. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory (symbolic narrative). What do the following represent?

Young Goodman Brown – He represents innocence, a good man who doesn’t fully understand the world and its evils. He is going from innocence to experience through his travel in the woods.


Faith – Faith is Goodman Brown’s wife. He represents his religious faith and love for God. She also represents his faith in humanity and the world.


The Elderly Traveller/Fellow-Traveller – The Elderly Traveller represents the devil or dark and evil influences. He is tempting Goodman Brown to take the evil journey through the woods.


Goody Cloyse – Goody Cloyse represents his past faith. He taught Goodman Brown about religion when he was younger, she represents the corruption and hypocrisy of the situation. She appears to be good and holy, but is actually evil and corrupted just like the Fellow Traveller.


The Ceremony – The Ceremony represents a test or revelation. It is a religious ceremony where Goodman Brown officially loses his faith. It has symbolic significance (initiation/confirmation).


The Pink Ribbon – The Pink Ribbon represents Goodman Brown’s loosing of his faith. When it falls, he says “My faith is gone” referring to both his wife and his religious faith.


Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – His Journey represents life and the changes that one goes through during life. It represents the journey from childish innocence to the adulthood of experience.



2. Identify the following for “Young Goodman Brown”:
Theme: Sin/Human Weakness
Message of the Theme: Sin and temptations draw human’s away from God and the good things in life. We are weak and often give into the evils of the world.
Element Used: Symbols/Characterization




In addition, provide three direct quotes from the story that address your theme.
1. “Faith kept me back awhile.”
2. ``My Faith is gone!'' cried he, after one stupefied moment. ``There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given.''
3. `There,'' resumed the sable form, ``are all whom ye have reverenced from youth. Ye deemed them holier than yourselves, and shrank from your own sin, contrasting it with their lives of righteousness and prayerful aspirations heavenward.’