The Symbolic Analysis

Not all is what it seems when it comes to symbolism. Ordinary objects become more than what they appear, that when analyzed is given a deeper meaning than its literal significance. In the short story “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the audience follows Goodman Brown on his journey into the forest to meet the devil and on the way he soon realizes that he was getting more than he was bargained for. As symbolism permeates through the pages of the story the reader begins to realize that there is more to the story that meet the eye. By using the symbolic nature of the pink ribbons, serpent staff, and Faith; Hawthorne is able to suggest more than what is stated giving the reader a different perspective on the story.

First, the pink ribbons on Faith’s cap shapes the reader into thinking about the loss of innocence. In the story, it is evident that the pink ribbons were important as Goodman Brown draws attention to them on page 357 when she “thrust her own pretty head into the street, letting the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap while she called to Goodman Brown”. Furthermore, the pink ribbons are the only distinguishable trait about Faith since not much is given about her features except that she is considered pretty to her husband. Through the choice of using pink as the color it can be speculated that the author wishes for the audience to think of Faith as innocent and pure as pink is normally associated with naivety. Although it could also reflect on how Goodman Brown was during the beginning of his journey that he was naive and innocent. Then, as the story progresses the reader observes the scene where Goodman Brown gazes upward at the sky saying, “‘With heaven above and Faith below, I will yet stand firm a...

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... a while,’” (358). This statement can be seen as Brown stating that his faith made him hesitant in following the devil down this path. Not only that, but with “Faith” in mind Brown tries to combat the corruption that surrounded him. Only to stop when he thought that Faith may have also been corrupted like the rest of the pious townspeople causing him to stray further down the path of evil. Due to this Brown ends up losing faith in everything around him, hence subjecting him to a life filled with cynicism and suspicion no longer the innocent youth he was when the story began.

In short, the reader’s thoughts begin to shift as the story progresses due to the use of symbolism. Ordinary items such as pink ribbons begin to gain a deeper meaning, as it acts as a symbol expressing the theme of loss of innocence.

Works Cited

http://www.online-literature.com/poe/158/