Introduction
In “Young Goodman Brown,” Nathaniel Hawthorne delves deep into the discussion of Faith and morality in human beings. The author tells the story of a young man, Goodman Brown, a Puritan, who decides to abandon his family and religious affiliation, venturing into the woods to participate in a witches’ Sabbath. Similar to what happened to Eve in the book of Genesis, the protagonist cannot help but succumb to the temptation to discover the mysteries hiding in the forest. The story provides a commentary on how people can get captured by temptation and sin, which are natural to humans, and the implications of their decisions, such as guilt.
Sin
The theme of sin runs prominently throughout the narrative, with the author pointing out that it is bound to occur because it is natural to humans. Goodman Brown is an average person who struggles between good and evil. Upon venturing into the forest, he discovers that sin, which is “the nature of mankind,” is everywhere, and no person is perfect, no matter what they do in life (Hawthorne 9).
In other words, every person is naturally evil in some way, and this quality can be traced from the beginning of the story when Brown decides to leave his wife for the long journey to the forest. When embarking upon the unknown adventure, he “felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose” (Hawthorne 1). The journey to the forest reflects a person’s self-exploration of their sins, ultimately resulting in the inability to deny or resist evil.
An important point made about sin being natural to humans is the emphasis on the similarity between Brown and the Devil-like archetype. The antagonist bore a “considerable resemblance to him, though perhaps more in expression than features. Still, they might have been taken for father and son” (Hawthorne 2). This resemblance suggests that there is a piece of evil in any person, and no matter how they try to resist, it may be hidden deeper and reflect the thoughts and reactions of people rather than their immediate behaviors.
Guilt
The theme of guilt is the second important component of the narrative, showing that the protagonist has never experienced a state of innocence. Brown has many evil thoughts throughout the story, and the Devil uses this weakness to his advantage. For example, the Devil reveals the benefits of worshiping him and that the people Goodman Brown thought were righteous also served him. He sees familiar faces at the ritual, including his wife Faith, and his guilt at the lack of Faith intensifies. As the story develops, the protagonist’s paranoia and fear amplify, and he begins questioning his beliefs, wondering if he may be a sinner as well.
At the end of the story, Goodman Brown doubts whether he is a good man, as he is changed forever by the experience of the Devil worshipping in the woods. He can no longer believe his judgment as his sins and the sins of others haunt him: “On the Sabbath-day, when the congregation was singing a holy psalm, he could not listen because an anthem of sin rushed loudly upon his ear, and drowned all the blessed strain” (Hawthorne 10). The theme of guilt is highly relevant to the general message of the story because it reveals the effects of the Puritan Faith on people. Restricted and contrived religious beliefs narrow a person’s worldview and make them perceive it as black and white, which is why the feelings of shame and guilt seem foreign.
Human Nature
The broader theme of human nature runs through the entire narrative of the story as it is shown that every person has good and bad qualities, which makes them inherently human. Referring to the similarity between the Devil and Goodman Brown, it can be suggested that the Devil is not always what exists in the outside world but is instead present in the inner depths of human beings’ nature. At the beginning of his journey, the protagonist perceives himself as inherently good: “We are a people of prayer, and good works to boot, and abide no such wickedness” (Hawthorne 3).
As the story progresses, the veil is lifted, and he realizes that absolute goodness does not exist. People will have evil thoughts at some point in their lives and may either act upon them or not. How they deal with them may result in either positive or negative consequences.
Conclusion
To conclude, “Young Goodman Brown” is a deep look into the human psyche and the underlying qualities that make people who they are. The story shows that every individual has good and bad sides, and repressing the human condition is ineffective and harmful. A person is more likely to experience guilt if they idealize themselves or others, primarily if the guilt is rooted in Faith. However, letting go and accepting the world as it is can be far more beneficial for one’s growth as a person.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “Young Goodman Brown.” Web.