Evaluation of Young Goodman Brown

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “Young Goodman Brown,” depicts the internal conflicts of the young, naïve, Puritan, Goodman Brown. Hawthorne aptly named his characters, to convey their innocent nature. Young Goodman Brown and his wife, Faith, are newlyweds and enjoy a happy life in a small Salem village of Puritan New England in the 1690’s. However, Brown decides he must go on a journey of self-discovery; a journey he does not want to take but feels he must, to prove he is worthy of God’s grace.

On the darkest of nights, Brown leaves his home and his wife, to travel down a path, deep into the unknown dangers of the forest. Brown’s nighttime travel is a personal test to prove his true passion is in the purity he enjoys in the vi

The stranger, whom Brown now believes to be the devil, claims that he is well acquainted with some of Brown’s family and friends. Brown sees, or has visions of, his relatives and leaders of the community and their associations with evil. This revelation forces Brown to trust what the stranger is telling him. Brown is convinced that the presence of these trusted and respected people in the forest is proof that the stranger’s tales of wickedness are true.

Young Goodman Brown’s faith is nearly destroyed by the revelation that everyone he has ever known is in some way tainted by sin. He tries to preserve an illusion of goodness and purity by seeking faith. However, in his last effort to stand firm against the devil, Brown hears a voice in the forest, and believes it is his wife, Fait

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