“The analysis of the symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne”

by Carolina Rodriguez

A clear conscience concerns people who lack the mental capacity to understand the

nature of their acts may be regarded as innocent in spite of their behavior. Although people

always try to avoid committing sin, innocence is eventually lost. Examples of this are

Goodman Brown‘s wife Faith who represents Goodman Brown’s family, purity and faith

for God.

In the first place, Faith as an individual represents the perfect family he has formed.

The author writes “My love and my Faith," replied young Goodman Brown, "of all nights

in the year, this one night must I tarry away from thee…What, my sweet, pretty wife, dost

thou doubt me already, and we but three months married?” He loves her deeply meanwhile

he pictures perfection from her. The narrator writes “So they parted; and the young man

pursued his way, until, being about to turn the corner by the meeting-house, he looked

back, and saw the head of Faith peeping after him, with a melancholy air, in spite of her

pink ribbons”. Goodman Brown believes her wife is defenseless without him.

Secondly, the narrator writes “And Faith, as the wife was aptly named,…”. Her

name represents not only the purity but also the innocence of a young girl. She is always

wearing pink ribbons on her hair which symbolizes her as naive. The narrator writes “Well;

she's a blessed angel on earth; and after this one night, I'll cling to her skirts and follow her

to Heaven." Goodman Brown feels blessed with his companion due to the fact that he has

found an angel.
 Finally, she plays innocent like a child even though, she was corrupted by

temptation. The narrator writes "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come,

devil; for to thee is this world given". Goodman Brown loses doubts his faith.

Consequently, he has double thoughts. The narrator writes "Faith! Faith!" cried the

husband, "look up to heaven, and resist the wicked one", by this action he knew already he

has lost his trust to his wife and to his God. He lost his innocent and thoughtful belief in his

wife.

In conclusion, Faith representing Goodman Brown’s family, purity and faith for

God show that innocence somehow is lost. There is no such a thing as a pure of heart

person who has not tried something forbidden. A role model of morality is a fake view of

an individual’s existence as well as a representation of lack of equilibrium of good and bad

experiences in life.

Bibliography:

Hawthorne, N. (1835), Young Goodman Brown, Massachusetts, New England

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