Young Goodman Brown Good And Evil Essay

844 Words2 Pages

Blake Ottinger
Ian Wolf
English 231
12th May 2014
Good and Evil in Hawthorne's Writing
Religion and morality have always been subjects of intense debate. While most throughout history have generally agreed regarding basic sins against humanity, the debate regarding religion as a whole has evidently been more subjective. Not only have many wars been fought over the issue of religion and its principles, but undoubtedly one of religion's biggest criticisms is that its biggest proponents often do not follow the principles that they passionately preach.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown introduces several unique and interesting themes regarding morality and religion, including the nature of faith, good versus evil, and hypocrisy. He ultimately attempts to make the case that outward morality does not always symbolize the true intentions of the heart. Through the key character conflicts and differences between Faith, the Old Man, and Goodman Brown himself, a clear case for religious hypocrisy's effect on the ability for good to prevail over evil is ultimately presented.
Hawthorne introduces several of the plot's key characters as outwardly being examples of puritan ideals and morals. Puritans were generally known to be highly religious and pious, holding tightly to biblical teachings that were generally interpreted literally and accepted universally among Puritanism's adherents. (“Puritan Life”) Faith, the wife of Goodman Brown, arguably is the most influential in the ultimate decisions of Goodman Brown. She is portrayed as a highly virtuous and pious woman, and is represented by the pink ribbon to symbolize innocence and purity. Goodman Brown thinks so highly of her that he refers to himself as a “wretch to leave her on suc...

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... dear to him.
Overall, Hawthorne presents a clear picture of religious hypocrisy's effect on good's ability to prevail over evil. Although key characters such as the old man evidently had an impact on Goodman Brown, they would not effect him the same way that those dear to him would. Goodman Brown was portrayed as a man who knew how to recognize evil when he saw it in the old man, but was too trusting when it came to those who were outwardly less sinister. Ultimately, Hawthorne seems to make the case that religious hypocrisy can affect good's ability to prevail over evil.

Works Cited Page
Gura, Philip F. "Thomas Jefferson." The Norton Anthology to American Literature. Shorter 8th ed. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2013. 338. Print.
"Puritan Life." ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. .

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