Essay on Faith Role in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young...

Faith plays a major role in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†. From the start of his journey to his arrival back home, Faith is always in the back of head, making him question his surroundings and own thoughts. It’s hard to determine when he’s speaking of his lovely wife Faith or his Faith in his God and religion. Through his many Young Goodman Brown’s journey begins with his departure from Faith, for he must â€Å"tarry away from thee.† (Nathaniel Hawthorne 1289) Could it be that he is questioning his very own Faith/religion and must test it on this very night? Or is Young Goodman simply leaving his wife Faith, unaware of what lies ahead of him? I personally believe Young Goodman Brown is simply saying his†¦show more content†¦Once meeting his destination, Young Goodman Brown is accused by a man â€Å"in grave and decent attire† (Hawthorne 1289) of being late. â€Å"Faith kept me back awhile† (1290) is Goodman Brown’s excuse. Though Goodman Brown’s delicate wife Faith did try to her best ability to keep him from going on this journey, she may not have been the only culpriate. We all have those peculiar moments when something about which we have a bad feeling pulls us back. That thing is our Faith, and Goodman Brown’s didn’t want him going on this journey. Staying true to one, whether it be loved ones or beliefs, is an important task when you care deeply for someone or something; that’s why Goodman Brown questions when he is asked to do otherwise. â€Å"What is a wretched old woman do choose to go to the devil, when I thought she was going to Heaven! Is that any reason why I should quit my dear Faith, and go to her?† (Hawthorne 1292) Questions Young Goodman. He refuses to quit Faith, which can be easily be taken as his Faith in Christianity or loyalty to his wife Faith. â€Å"‘Faith! Faith!’ cried the husband. †˜Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked One!’† (Hawthorne 1297) These were the words expressed by Young Goodman Brown during the evil baptisms. Whether Goodman Brown was speaking to himself or his pleasant wife Faith, it is easily seen that there is a definite need of Faith and God to be saved from the â€Å"Wicked One†. At this time of extreme devil worship, Goodman Brown asksShow MoreRelated Ambiguity and Uncertainty in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown1512 Words   |  7 PagesAmbiguity and Uncertainty in Young Goodman Brown   Ã‚  Ã‚   In Young Goodman Brown, Nathaniel Hawthorne, through the use of deceptive imagery, creates a sense of uncertainty that illuminates the theme of mans inability to operate within a framework of moral absolutism.   Within every man there is an innate difference between good and evil and Hawthornes deliberate use of ambiguity mirrors this complexity of human nature. 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