Hawthorne and symbolism
Hawthorne and symbolismHawthorne and Symbolism
Symbolism is a key in all or most writings. Symbolism is what the reader needs in order to use his imagination. In "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, through different symbolism, Hawthorne writes about a man who in his coming of age. This man is Goodman Brown and he learns that there is a darkness in everyone and upon this coming of knowledge, his life is change forever.
First of all, Hawthorne describes Goodman Brown as a good Puritan who is devoted to his wife Faith, whose name he uses like a shield for his soul. At the beginning of his walk through the woods, Brown runs into the Devil who tries to convert him; this is shown by the Devil's offering of the staff to Brown. The Devil goes on to say that Brown's family has had dealings with evil in the past. He uses the example of the Salem witch trials. Brown goes on to say that he could not bear the shame of betraying his faith while the Devil is naming people known and respected by Brown to try to show him that it wouldn't really be that bad if Brown joined the witches' plan.
Secondly, when Goody Cloyse is encountered, Brown learns how she truly feels about him. Goody Cloyse freely takes up the Devil's staff. Proud...
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