Symbolism of Setting and Character Descriptions in Young...

Emily Bartlett Ms. Santi 1B PDP American Literature 7 December 2011 Young Goodman Brown In Young Goodman Brown, Nathanial Hawthorne utilizes the forest’s setting and character’s descriptions to show the symbolic meaning of each. The forest, each character and their actions all have specific meanings that are critical to the interpretation of the story. The story of Young Goodman Brown takes place in the town of Salem, Massachusetts, and the forest surrounding the town. Salem became famous for its witch tr1ials and the evil lurking within its forests. Forests are best known for being places of evil, â€Å"Satan’s playground†, for â€Å"There may be a devilish Indian behind every tree,† (Hawthorne 1). Night itself is considered to be the time when†¦show more content†¦The snake for ages upon ages seems to represent Lucifer or the devil, ever since the story of Adam and Eve. Several times in the Bible, snakes were used as punishment. After leaving Egypt, Moses and the Israelites take refuge in the desert. However despite being free, they sin and God becomes angry with the people. God punishes them by sending â€Å"fiery serpents to surround the camp. Moses admits to God that the people and himself are sinners and prays for the people. God tells Moses to build a brass serpent and to place it on a pole in the center of the camp. God says that anyone who looks upon the pole after being bitten shall live. Bringing the questioning of his relationship with the devil, or if he in fact is the devil. The fact that the staff appears to move as a snake would also shows that something is amiss in the woods of Salem. Later in the forest, Goodman Brown and the traveler come across one of the respected women from the church, Goody Cloyse. Goody Cloyse a pious woman, strict and true to the word of God, throughout the day. â€Å"He pointed his staff at a female figure on the path, in whom Goodman Brown recognized a very pious and exemplary dame, who had taught him his catechism, in youth, and was still his moral and spiritual supervisor.† (Hawthorne 2). Goody Cloyse is the last woman a person would expect to find in theShow MoreRelatedGood Vs. Evil in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay673 Words   |  3 PagesGood vs. Evil The short story, Young Goodman Brown is a fascinating rendition of the battle between good and evil. The reader must delve into the depths of his/her own beliefs to understand what the symbolism is. Nathaniel Hawthorne writes an entire lesson in life as one big symbol using allegory. The various examples are fruitful and will be presented throughout this essay. First, the main characters name is Goodman Brown. Does this mean something? 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