Journal 12

Journal #12 - “Young Goodman Brown”

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

Young Goodman Brown – He represents a man who was once good but changes as loses faith.


Faith – Faith represents his religious beliefs as well as the faith Goodman Brown has in others.

The Elderly Traveler/Fellow-Traveler – Represents the devil who temps Goodman Brown.


Goody Cloyse – Represents corruption and hypocrisy because she taught him about God but she herself is really evil.


The Ceremony – The ceremony represents people’s sinful nature. It was like the opposite of baptism. Instead of being cleansed of sin in a Baptism, they are celebrating sin and the converts to sin.


The Pink Ribbon – Represents Goodman’s loss of Faith in terms of religious faith and his wife, Faith.


Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – His journey represents the path from innocence to experience and of knowledge of good and evil.


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

Theme Message of Theme Element Used to Establish


Theme: Deception
The message tells readers that Goodman tried to do everything right in life but in doing that he was unable to see how people truly are, even people as close to him as is wife. The people in his life turned out to be extremely different than what he originally believed.
Element used: Characterization






In addition, provide three direct quotes from the story that address your theme.
I have been as well acquainted with your family as with ever a one among the Puritans; and that's no trifle to say. I helped your grandfather, the constable, when he lashed the Quaker woman so smartly through the streets of Salem; and it was I that brought your father a pitch-pine knot, kindled at my own hearth, to set fire to an Indian village, in King Philip's war. They were my good friends, both; and many a pleasant walk have we had along this path, and returned merrily after midnight. I would fain be friends with you for their sake."

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."