The story of Goodman Brown seems to be a statement about human nature and the temptations and sins they face. The forrest is a symbol of temptation and sin, and Goodman Brown wants to enter it. Even though he second guesses at times, his feet keep taking him further into the forrest as if he were posessed by a spirit.
The man that meets Goodman Brown in the forrest is described very similarly to the devil with his serpant staff. Faith seems to be a symbol for religious faith, Brown's in particular. Her physcial description also exudes innocence with her pink ribbons in her hair and Brown describes her as an angel, destined for heaven. But even innocent Faith is tempted by the evil and is curious to learn more about this dark culture in the forrest. so in a way, Faith loses her "innocence" which could also be a symbol for Goodman Brown losing his religious faith.
I thought that it was very interesting how Goodman Brown lost control of his feet in the forrest. he felt as if he were flying through the forrest instead of fwalking. Even though he wanted to turn back, his body kep going further into the forrest. I think this is a statement by the author that all humans, innocent and guilty have an unconscious desire and curiosity for temptations and sins. It is a natural impulse.
There's a definate contrast in character between how Goodman Brown was before the forrest and how he was afterward. In the beginning of the story, Brown talks about heaven. "she's a blessed angel on earth;and after this one night, I'll cling to her skirts and follow her to heaven." But after the forrest, he seems to have less faith in mankind and talks about the devil. "Come, devil: for to thee is this world given." he contrasts good and evil, innocence and sin, and also light and dark with the darkness of the forrest and daylight.
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Erica,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting how you described the forest as almost alluring to Goodman Brown. I feel as if the forest was sublime to Brown and it inspired another side of him to come out. It seems as if Brown has two sides to himself, the one that chases after innocence and faith, and another that lures him to evil and sin. This reminds me somewhat of the "Jekyll and Hyde" story and how Jekyll's transformation into evil led to his death. Brown does not die physically, but spiritually and emotionally he is dead by the end of the story.
I completely agree with both of these statements. I feel as if in the beginning of the story Yong Goodman Brown fits the discription of his name to the T. He is a youthful innocent and uncorrupted soul who clings close to his "Faith". And at the end of the story it seems as if he loses his "faith". Faith not only in the goodness and innocence of mankind, but Faith his wife as well. Brown seems to be turning towards the evil in the forest, as if the man he has came in contact with is the devil in the form of darker side of himself. He is now courious of what lays further within the forest and can not seem to turn around and cling back to his faith. It is the classic case of good and evil, the innocent and the corrupt.
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