Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown by Hawthorne Essay

Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown by Hawthorne - Essay Example Symbolism, most of which is spiritual, is used throughout the story to show the downfall of the once-holy community, including Goodman Brown. Faith is a symbol unto herself, from her name to the pink ribbons that she wore in her hair. As Goodman Brown sets out to meet with the devil, he talks himself into giving up such a horrid life for the sake of Faith. Whenever he thinks about the evil deed at hand, he allows his mind to turn back to Faith. This can be taken in two ways - Faith, as in his wife, and faith, as in his religious beliefs. Faith, his wife, is a personification of Goodman Brown’s spiritual faith. He does not want to live a life of evil, but one of good, religious faith. As such, Faith symbolizes Brown’s desire to live a religiously fulfilling life while also, while also wanting to remain good for the sake of his wife. Faith’s ribbons symbolizes Faith and her purity. The ribbons are pink, a color often associated with purity and innocence. As she say s goodbye to her husband as he leaves, Brown takes notice of the pink ribbons in her cap. At this moment in the story, Faith is pure and innocent. However, as Brown is wandering through the forest towards the evil gathering, he thinks he hears her voice, calls out to her, and then notices one of her pink ribbons falling from the sky. Since the ribbons symbolize purity, then as Faith loses her ribbons, she also loses her purity.