In the beginning, Young Goodman Brown is faced with a decision to stay home with his wife another night or to take off on his journey. This parallels his mental decision to leave behind all that he knew to be true, up until that point and discover the truth no matter how harsh it may be, when Goodman Brown decides to go out alone to find himself. Faith, his wife, is urging him to stay with her instead of leaving that night. She almost convinces Goodman Brown to stay, but his desire to discover himself overpowers his need to stay with Faith. The struggle going on inside of Goodman Brown's head is really between remai

Young Goodman Brown must leave behind his known world, Salem, and enter an unknown world, the forest, to face challenges he must be capable of overcoming. Symbolically, he embarks on a mental and divine odyssey. Entering an unknown territory is scary and puts a person at a much higher physical and emotional risk. "There may be a devilish Indian behind every tree" (Hawthorne 25), shows how insecure Young Goodman Brown is in the forest because he is exposing himself to danger, which in this case, is evil itself. He must stay strong and overcome his weaknesses to get past his biggest fears and continue his expedition. Goodman Brown is tempted to turn around and go home, but he sticks it out, and continues onward.

Throughout the rest of his life, Goodman Brown does not see the people he once thought he knew the true nature of the same as he used to. Hawthorne states, "A stern, a sad, a darkly meditative, a distrustful, if not a desperate man did he become from the night of that fearful dream" (Hawthorne 34), even Young Goodman Brown's "[...] dying hour was gloom" (Hawthorne 34). His life was changed so drastically during that one night that he could never forget it. Through his expedition, Hawthorne shows the development of Young Goodman Brown as he discovers his true nature as evil. He comes to terms with the reality that humans are evil creatures, no matter how honorable or innocent they may seem.

Young Goodman Brown comes across Goody Cloyce who taught him his catechism in youth, as well as the minister and Deacon Gookin who were hi

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Approximate Word count = 1042
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)