Allegory is very often used to speak to a different part of our mind and allow us to view things in a different light.
Nathaniel Hawthorne gives plenty of things to consider in Young Goodman Brown. There may be many different components in the
story, they all however, point to the same central theme.
Goodman Brown is symbolic of human society and our struggle between good versus evil. Brown embodies so well what humans
are quick to do, make loud verbal declarations of fleeing from wickedness, while still moving towards it. Goodman Brown even states "...it
is my purpose now to return whence I came. I have scruples, touching the matter thow wot'st of. (586)" Brown himself points out he has
morals, and yet still continues down the path.
The name Faith in and of it's self is symbolic of actual belief in God or religion. Faith was young, sweet and innocent. While Faith did not want to see Goodman Brown leave on
his errand, she did not completely keep him from going, this strongly speaks of the freewill we have as humans.
Goodman Brown was certain that he would be allowed to "...cling to her skirts and follow her to Heaven. (585)"
Something to notice about Faith is she has pink ribbons, and the color pink refers to joy or happiness. This could be symbolic of the happiness we experience when
we embrace and cling to faith.
It is noteworthy that Goodman Brown makes his journey at night and through a forest. Nighttime is commonly known for cloaking evil deeds, and for causing things to appear to
be something they are not. Illusion is one of the ways the Devil lured Goodman Brown deeper into the forest. It had to be done at night because there is a special clarity that causes
us to see things for what they really are in daylight.
When you combine all of these elements, they all point to a central theme of the struggle of good versus evil. Goodman Brown's whole journey is that...