Hawthorne wrote this story in such a way that one would have to draw one’s own conclusion. Right from the beginning the author has you thinking of the Devil and evil. “With this excellent resolve for the future, Goodman Brown felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose.” (805). This sentence tells the reader that Goodman Brown is up to no good and more interested “…on his present evil purpose.” (805). What is his tragedy you ask? Goodman Brown fights the forces of evil throughout the story.

Hawthorne’s major theme is evil and witchery. The setting is Puritanical Boston after the witch trials. Having the flavor of the witch trials woven into the story suggests that Goodman remembers the trials and the evil associated with them. His concern is “…shall I be the first of the name of Brown that ever took this path and kept.” (806) meaning will he remain evil. Hawthorne even gives the character a symbolic name. The first name of Goodman would have you believe that he is indeed a good man. The last name of Brown symbolizes dark, dreary tones such as the dark colors we know witches to wear. The first name and the last name a

‘Welcome my children,’ said the dark figure,…” (page 811). The adjective ‘dark’ would refer to the bad guys. In our society today it’s the good guys that wear the white hats, so to speak. White is associated with angels and heavenly beings. Hawthorne uses the adjective ‘dark’ to indicate a bad person or a devil or a witch. Not all witches are dark, there are the white witches. Laurie Cabot, a well-known witch in Salem today, is a white witch. Black witches are the people that cast spells on others. White witches are the good witches.

Recognizing the voices of the minister and Deacon Gookin he wants to believe this meeting is good and not evil as the two gentlemen symbolize good in the community of Salem. But he is in a dream and the people of the community are in his dream with him as they are in Salem, but all attending an evil meeting. Hawthorne describes Goodman ‘approaching the congregation” (811) as if being cautious. “He could have well-nigh sworn that the shape of his own dead father beckoned him to advance, looking downward from a smoke wreath, while a woman, with dim features of despair, threw out her hand to warn him back. Was it his mother? But he had no power to retreat one step, nor to resist,

Some topics in this essay:
Goodman Brown, Deacon Gookin, Puritanical Boston, Laurie Cabot, Brown Hawthorne, goodman brown, conflict head, forces evil, evil meeting, goodman brown conflict, evil purpose” 805, forces evil throughout, purpose” 805, white witches, evil purpose”, evil throughout, dark colors, name goodman,