Journal #12

1. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory (symbolic narrative). What do the following represent?

Young Goodman Brown – He is the fallen man. He represents someone good who has the inclination to sin. He is trying to be good in the face of a world which is not.


Faith – represents brown’s faith in her and society. When he realizes she has fallen from grace or become corrupted he realizes that if she was corrupted they all are and therefore everyone has evil inside.


The Elderly Traveller/Fellow-Traveller – represents the devil and temptation. He sees everyone for who they truly are.


Goody Cloyse – represents all the people who he thought was holy and pure on the outside are actually different on the inside. She was so religious and spiritual that it was hard to believe she was also a part of this. If she is like this then the whole society is corrupt.


The Ceremony – represents acceptance of your true nature. Like the story of Adam and eve. It is parallel to any number of religious ceremonies where they pledge themselves to each other or the church. Opposite of a baptism because you are becoming un pure and against God.


The Pink Ribbon –represents purity and then when the ribbon falls, it represents her fall from grace.


Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – represents the journey of life and as we go from innocence to experience. This journey changes him.



2. Identify the following for “Young Goodman Brown”:

Theme Message of Theme Element Used to Establish
The theme is looks can be deceiving. The message is that no matter how someone presents themself on the outside you should not completely trust cahracter by appearance because the true nature of things could be different than what you perceive it to be. Symbolism is the element used because they used different symbols to shows the people’s true sinful self.



In addition, provide three direct quotes from the story that address your theme.
“He had cast up his eyes in astonishment, and, looking down again, beheld neither Goody Cloyse nor the serpentine staff, but his fellow-traveller alone, who waited for him as calmly as if nothing had happened. ``That old woman taught me my catechism,'' said the young man; and there was a world of meaning in this simple comment.”

“But something fluttered lightly down through the air and caught on the branch of a tree. The young man seized it, and beheld a pink ribbon.
``My Faith is gone!'' cried he, after one stupefied moment. ``There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given.'' ”

“Among them, quivering to and fro between gloom and splendor, appeared faces that would be seen next day at the council board of the province, and others which, Sabbath after Sabbath, looked devoutly heavenward, and benignantly over the crowded pews, from the holiest pulpits in the land.”