It is ironic when Faith finally lets him go and says, "Then God bless you! and may you find all well when you come back" (pg. 87). He is only gone one night and nothing substantial changes in Salem village while he is gone, but since he is so dramatically changed emotionally during his excursion, he remains sad and distrustful for the rest of his life, due to knowing the truth about human nature. Young Goodman Brown must leave behind his known world, Salem village, and enter an unknown world, the forest, to face challenges he must be capable of overcoming. Allegorically, he embarks on a psychological and spiritual odyssey. Entering an unknown territory is scary and puts a person at a much higher physical and emotional risk. "There may be a devlish Indian behind every tree" shows how insecure Young Goodman Brown is in the forest because he is exposing himself to danger, which in this case, is evil itself (pg. 88). He must stay strong and overcome his weaknesses to get past his biggest fears and continue his Hero's journey. Goodman Brown is tempted to turn around and go home, but he sticks it out, and continues onward. Goodman Brown remarks, "What if the devil himself should be at my very elbow!" just before noticing a man, similar in appearance to himself, sitting under a tree (pg. 88). This man speaks as if he was expecting Brown although Brown is a little shocked to see him. He represents the previously unrecognized evil nature of Young Goodman Brown, possibly the devil himself. Although Goodman Brown is reluctant to continue, this man convinces him to go just a little further. Goodman Brown tries to explain why he wishes to turn back by saying, "My father never went into the woods on such an errand, nor his father before him. We have been a race of honest men and good Christians- (pg. 89). The man replies that he has walked this road with all Brown's ancestors before, and therefore, convinces Brown to continue the path.
