Journal #12

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

Young Goodman Brown – The Name Young Goodman symbolizes a person's innocence. He tries to combat the devil and not fall into temptation, but he is unable to stop it making him no longer a pure good man. The Brown part of his name could indicate that he is just an average man.

Faith – she represents religious faith, and faith in humanity.

The Elderly Traveller/Fellow-Traveller – He represent evil and the devil. He may also represent temptation that the devil sends.

Goody Cloyse – She is someone who Goodman looks up too, and becomes disappointed when he sees her. She represent hypocrisy.

The Ceremony – This is supposed to be the opposite of Baptism, which is the cleansing of original sin, here they celebrate sin. Also it could be like Confirmation because they are becoming a part of the religion that celebrates the devil.

The Pink Ribbon – This could represent the lose of faith because when Goodman sees it fall from the sky, he realizes that he has lost his "Faith"

Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – It symbolizes a person's journey of growing up and losing you innocence. Also it shows how when you grow up you see the world for what it really is, it is a place with good and evil.

2. Identify The following for "Young Goodman Brown":

Theme- Sin

Message- Sin is something that can not be avoided in life no matter how hard a person tries. Also that sin is everywhere you go and in everyone that you see and no one is free from the sin in the world other than Mary and Jesus. Also the message may be that the evil in the world is brought out through people and their natural tendency to fall into temptation

Element Used to Establish- Plot is the element used.

Quotes:

``With heaven above and Faith below, I will yet stand firm against the devil!''- Goodman Brown trying to avoid sin, but turns out to be unsuccessful.

``There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given.''- A direct quote about sin in the world.

"Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness."- This is to show that evil is everywhere and in everyone because it is in human nature.