Young Goodman Brown (Hawthorne)
Young Goodman Brown, a resident of Salem village, left his home at sunset to embark on a mysterious journey. Before leaving, he exchanged a parting kiss with his young wife, Faith, who pleaded with him to postpone his journey and stay with her that night.
Despite her pleas, Goodman Brown insisted that he must complete his journey before sunrise and assured her that no harm would come to her if she said her prayers and went to bed at dusk.
As Goodman Brown ventured deeper into the forest, he encountered a mysterious figure resembling an older version of himself. This figure carried a staff that appeared to be a living serpent. The two men walked together, discussing Goodman Brown's family history and the figure's connections to his ancestors. The figure revealed that he had assisted Goodman Brown's grandfather and father in committing acts of violence and cruelty.
As they continued walking, they encountered Goody Cloyse, a respected elderly woman from the village who had taught Goodman Brown his catechism. The mysterious figure revealed himself to be a friend of Goody Cloyse, and she recognized him as the devil.
"Welcome, my children," said the dark figure, "to the communion of your race. Ye have found thus young your nature and your destiny."
Despite this revelation, Goodman Brown decided to continue on his journey, determined to resist the devil's temptations.
As they approached their destination, Goodman Brown heard the voices of the village minister and Deacon Gookin, discussing their attendance at a secret meeting. Shocked and disheartened by the apparent hypocrisy of these religious leaders, Goodman Brown felt his faith in humanity slipping away. He resolved to stand firm against the devil and prayed for strength.
Suddenly, a dark cloud obscured the sky, and Goodman Brown heard the voices of his fellow villagers, including his wife Faith, participating in a blasphemous hymn.
"My Faith is gone!" cried he, after one stupefied moment. "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given."
Overcome with despair, he called out to Faith to resist the devil and look up to heaven. At that moment, the cloud dissipated, and Goodman Brown found himself alone in the forest.
The next morning, Goodman Brown returned to the village, a changed man. He viewed his fellow villagers with suspicion and disdain, unable to reconcile their outward piety with the wickedness he had witnessed in the forest. He became a stern, sad, and distrustful man, haunted by the memory of that fateful night.
As the years passed, Goodman Brown's relationships with his wife and community deteriorated. He could no longer find solace in prayer or religious teachings, and he often awoke in the night, filled with fear and loathing. Eventually, Goodman Brown died a bitter and disillusioned man, leaving behind a legacy of gloom and despair.
In summary, "Young Goodman Brown" tells the story of a young man's journey into the forest, where he encounters a mysterious figure and witnesses the apparent hypocrisy and hidden wickedness of his fellow villagers. This experience profoundly affects Goodman Brown, causing him to lose faith in humanity and become a bitter, distrustful man. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of losing faith and succumbing to despair.