Essay on The Allegory Of Young Goodman - 904 Words

In Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown,; the characters and settings are used to show allegory. The characters and setting are used in metaphor to represent something else. The whole story of Young Goodman Brown,; represents the journey of everyman. Its path that everyone follows, or so Hawthorne seems to believe. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The main character, Young Goodman Brown represents the sense of everyone. His last name, Brown, is a common name and therefore could be taken to mean everyone because it is so common. Young could mean someone who is innocent and inexperienced. He is newly married and starting his new life or journey down that path we call fate. Goodman represents just that, a good man.†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The traveler represents the devil. But the only thing about him, that could be fixed upon as remarkable was his staff, which bore the likeness of a great black snake, so curiously wrought, that it might almost be seen to twist and wriggle itself, like a living serpent. This of course, must have been an ocular deception, assisted by the uncertain light.; (Hawthorne 192) The devil is like a serpent, or is represented as a serpent in the story of Genesis. The serpent is sneaky and deceiving. Friend, said the other, exchanging his slow pace fo r a full stop, having kept covenant by meeting thee here, it is my purpose now to return whence I came. I have scruples, touching the matter thou wotst of. Sayest thou so? replied he of the serpent, smiling apart. Let us walk on, nevertheless, reasoning as we go, and if I convince thee not, thou shalt turn back. We are little way in the forest, yet. Too far, too far! exclaimed the goodman, unconsciously resuming his walk.; (Hawthorne 192) The traveler tricked Brown into proceeding with the journey without knowing he was continuing. The traveler acted as the devil or a serpent by being sneaky and got him to continue the journey. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The setting of the dark forest represents the devils home. Its a place where one would picture the devil living because of the darkness. It is a place where very few would normally travel very deep into. The forest is like sin.Show MoreRelatedAllegory in Young Goodman Brown Essay1008 Words   |  5 PagesNathaniel Hawthornes short story Young Goodman Brown is an excellent example of an allegory. Allegories use events, characters or symbolism as a bizarre or abstract representation of ideas in the story, and throughout Young Goodman Brown, Hawthorne uses a heavy amount of symbolism, as well as his characters and the events of the story line to develop a religious allegory. 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