University of Novi Sad Faculty of Philosophy

-Seminar Paper-

Young Goodman Brown- characters

Professor: Nataa Karanfilovi MA

Student: livera Popovi

Popovi!

"#th of April$ %#&#

Popovi! 'ntroduction 'n my seminar paper$ ' shall discuss the theme of characters in (a)thorne*s story +,oun- .oodman /ro)n01 As far as author*s 2io-raphy is concerned$ my focus )ill 2e on his Puritan herita-e$ due to the fact that his ancestors )ere di-nitary mem2ers of Salem*s society1

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Additionally$ ' shall deal )ith incorporation and transformation of (a)thorne*s auto2io-raphical elements in the story$ and also )ith its alle-orical function and its universal$ timeless applica2ility1 'n order to achieve my -oal$ ' divided my seminar paper into four sections: 'ntroduction$ Puritan herita-e$ 3haracters and 3onclusion1 First section deals )ith specific historical climate in )hich the story emer-ed$ includin- the account of strict Puritan teachin-s and infamous Salem 4itch 5rials$ )hich are set as different su2-sections1 Section on characters has four su2-sections )ith the first su2-section providin- a small overvie) of theoretical 2ac6-round needed to properly understand the characters in 7uestion$ and the rest of the su2-sections are named after three characters included1 5he function of introductory part is to set the -eneral atmosphere of the theme discussed1 4hereas$ 3onclusion represents my personal deduction a2out the theme ' researched1

Popovi! Puritan herita-e (e )as 2orn on 8uly the 9th &:#9$ the date of -reat American festival that cele2rates the

2irth of the national consciousness- the anniversary of the ;eclaration of national 'ndependence1 5he date itself made a mar6 on the future call of youn- (a)thorne and so to spea6$ metaphorically$ predisposed him to deal )ith 2oth conscience and morality of his people1 +<a person )ho has 2een ushered into life 2y the rin-in- of 2ells and the 2oomin- of canon =unless indeed he 2e fri-htened strai-ht out of it 2y the uproar of his a)a6enin-> receives 2y this very fact an in?unction to do somethin- -reat$ somethin- that )ill ?ustify such stri6in- natal accompaniments1 + =(enry 8ames$ @> ' am not apt to challen-e (a)thorne*s de-ree of importance since his -enius is un7uestiona2le1 Ai-ht no) ' am interested in his constant fascination )ith Puritan herita-e and his dou2ts relatin- it1 /ein- part of the Puritan community and -ro)in- up in such a climate made a crucial impact on (a)thorne*s opus1 An-ie Soler states in her article that this ?ourney to hell )hich ,oun- .oodman /ro)n is -oin- throu-h is 2asically necessary for conception of one*s morality1 5he emer-ence of Puritanism traces 2ac6 to late &Bth century1 5he 3hurch of Cn-land$ althou-h reformed on the surface$ retained Aoman 3atholic ela2orate ceremonies$ rituals and hierarchical structure1 /ut Puritan 2eliefs advocated rather different idea1 Faith emanates from the (olly 4ord of /i2le$ meanin- that 2ishops and cler-y should not reinterpret the already esta2lished )ord of .od1 (ence$ the An-lican 3hurch )as perceived as impure and it )as apt to 2e pur-ed1 Under the 3larendon 3ode =&BB%> all Puritan ministers )ho refused to accept church canon )ere eDpelled 2y the 3hurch of Cn-land1 After)ards$ many Puritans immi-rated to America to esta2lish their 2rand of reli-ion in Massachusetts$ Ne) Cn-land and other colonies1 4ishin- to esta2lish +A city upon the (ill0 they )ent on +Crrand in )ilderness0 in order to create Ne) 8erusalem in America$ an ideal 3hristian society1 5hey )ere not ea-er to find a perfect place for eDercisin- their reli-ion 2ut a foothold for their reli-ion to flourish1 Puritan ;octrine teaches that humanity is stained )ith the sin of their forefather Adam$ in other )ords man is inherently evil$ therefore every person should eventually realiEe the sinful nature of humanity1 Accordin-ly$ 2y eatin- from the 5ree of Kno)led-e$ Adam had 2ro6en the 3ovenant of 4or6s$ thus committin- the first or ori-inal sin1 Since Adam and Cve fell from -race 2y diso2eyin- .od$ they )ere eDpelled from (eaven1 't predestined humanity to eternal

Popovi! punishment1 (o)ever$ .od made a second covenant$ one of .race$ )ith 8esus1 5hrou-h 8esus

humanity could 2e led to redemption$ hence the 8esusF nic6name Aedeemer1 Preoccupation )ith the first sin had 2een reflected in the Puritan culture itself1 All hints of sin )ere made transparent$ emphasiEin- human depravity1 For instance children in schools )ere tau-ht this verse as an eDplanation of the letter A: +'n Adam*s fall )e sinned all10 Furthermore$ (a)thorne himself used such an allusion in his masterpiece +the Scarlet Getter0$ in )hich the heroine (ester Prynne is mar6ed )ith the letter A$ standin- for adulterous$ thou-h it could 2e related to the first man Adam1 5he -roup of spared -ranted )ith .od*s -race$ namely Puritans$ )ere named the Clect1 Mem2ers of spiritual elite )ere to d)ell )ith .od in eternity1 (o)ever$ no one actually 6ne) )hether they 2elon-ed to the Clect or not1 5he only )ay to find it out )as to -o throu-h a conversion eDperience to meet your o)n epiphany1 Ae-ardless of the fact that there )as nothinthat individual could do to improve their position$ they still led hi-hly industrious lives1 Puritan doctrines tau-ht that all men possess innate depravityH therefore they should 2e al)ays in the process of self-eDamination in order to secure their position in Clysium1 5here )ere certain formalities to follo) concernin- initiation ritual1 Firstly$ one should 2e reco-niEed 2y their 2rothers or sisters 2y so called I2irds of a feather floc6 to-etherI test1 5hen after -ivin- the conversion testimony$ the elders of the church pose the preliminary 7uestions so that they could vote on ne) mem2ers later on1 5herefore each -eneration should rediscover faith for themselves1 A dramatic decline of Eealousness )as detected in youn-er -enerations of Ne) Cn-land colonists1 Puritans faced difficulties concernin- the ade7uacy of conversion eDperiences1 Soon after)ards$ those lesser devotees started havin- their o)n children and somethin- )as to 2e done concernin- the stren-thenin- of the Puritan faith1 5he solution of the pro2lem )as the (alf-4ay 3ovenant1 Any 2aptiEed mem2er of the community )as allo)ed to 2e part of the puritan community althou-h not mem2er of the church1 A decline in the num2er of persons ta6in- the eDam for mem2ership had follo)ed the emer-ence of the (alf-4ay 3ovenant1

Popovi! Salem )itch trials: Another thin- )orth mentionin- is the Puritan interference in Salem )itchcraft in &BJ%$ closely related to the author himself$ since his Puritan$ paternal ancestors too6 part in it1 5hey )ere honoura2le and outstandin- mem2ers of the society1 Author*s -rand -randfather 8ohn (athorn =Nathaniel later chan-ed his name to I(a)thorneI$ addin- a I)I to suppress his relationship )ith notorious relatives>$ )ho accused &@# people of )itchcraft and ?ailed them$ as

)ell as sentencin- %# people to death1 Nineteen of them )ere han-ed and one )as put on the 2ed of nails and pressed to death1 1 +(e )as a soldier$ le-islator$ ?ud-eH ha )as a ruler in the churchH he had all the Puritanic traits$ 2oth -ood and evil1 (e )as li6e)ise a 2itter persecutorH as )itnessed the Kua6ers$ )ho have remem2ered him in their histories$ and relate an incident of his severity to)ards a )oman of their sect10=(a)thorne$> 8ohn*s heir$ Nathaniel*s -randfather$ )as a )ell-6no)n hero of American Aevolution )hereas (a)thorne*s father )as a shipmaster )ho died on a ship voya-e )hen Nathaniel )as a four-year-old 2oy1 +(a)thorn 2elon-ed to the fifth -enerationH inclined to self-depreciation$ pro2a2ly 2urdened 2oth 2y the sense of -uilt and inferiority$ he sa) himself dra--in- the family into o2scurity 2y pursuin- his literary professionH yet$ he someho) hoped that it mi-ht not 2e so10 =Pacic$ :&> Not only are the auto2io-raphical elements crucial for understandin- ,oun- .oodman /ro)n$ 2ut also the )hole (a)thorne*s literary opus1 5he story itself should 2e o2served in the li-ht of author*s ancestral 2urden$ unintentionally attri2uted to him1 /ut the 7uestion imposed is )hy there )as so much ea-erness in youn- (a)thorne to see6 after his ancestorsF historyL 't )as a lo-ical se7uence of events since the )hole American society lac6ed historical herita-e$ and in order to -enerate one$ they concentrated on their o)n family affairs1 (o)ever$ author*s discovery of his ancestorsF past )as a 2itter eDperience1 Unfortunately$ heavy 2urden fell on his 2ac6 )hich resulted in his failure to cope )ith pressure that society imposed on him1 Ur-e to ?ustify his su2conscious dilemmas influenced him to try to -ain the atonement throu-h his literary )or6s$ althou-h unsuccessfully1 5his discovery tri--ered his emotional insecurity and the dou2t of )ho he really )as )hich )as intensified 2y the lac6 of fatherly fi-ure1 Also the historians of that time )ere very ri-orous )hen it came to ?ud-ment of Puritan treatment of Kua6ers1 /ein- stained )ith forefathersF unpardona2le sins$ made him feel li6e a social outcast1

Popovi! So he spent t)elve years in isolation$ improvin- his art of )ritin- and tryin- to emancipate himself1 5he outcome )as completely the opposite1 'nstead of li2eratin- himself throu-h his art he 2ecame a s6eptic )ith a dual-outloo6 on life1 (enry 8ames too6 very impressive notice 2y

concludin- +5his moral is that the flo)er of art 2looms only )here the soil is deep$ that it ta6es a -reat deal of history to produce a little literature$ that it needs a compleD social machinery to set a )riter in motion10=8ames$ ">

Popovi! 3haracters: 'ntroduction: 'nterpretation of the follo)in- part of my seminar paper )ill rest on my personal

impressions of the story and the selected critics1 My focus )ill 2e on three main characters of the story .oodman /ro)n$ Faith and ;evil1 Althou-h ' )ould not li6e to mar-inaliEe any other character present$ due to the pa-e limitation$ they )ill not 2e included in separate su2-sections1 (o)ever$ they )ill 2e mentioned in relation to characters discussed As far as this section is concerned$ ' )ill eDplain the sym2olism of names of the previously mentioned characters$ sym2olism of colours$ as )ell as their alle-orical dimension$ and clarify )hy they are referred to as flat characters1 Also$ one part of analysis of characters )ill 2e centered around the impact that Aomanticism made on the characters themselves1 (o)ever$ 2efore startin- a discussion on individual characters$ ' )ould li6e to define the terms of flat and alle-orical characters1 A flat character is a character in a )or6 of fiction )ho does not under-o su2stantial chan-e or -ro)th in the course of a story1 & 5his actually means that flat characters are onedimensional characters$ since they are either -ood or evil1 As opposed to round characters$ )hich are rather compleD$ representin- a miDture of -ood and evil$ and most commonly under-o a chan-e throu-hout the literary )or61 Alle-orical characters personify a2stract concepts1 'n other )ords$ they represent a tendency in all men1 5his type of character )as most fre7uently used in medieval Cn-lish literature$ namely miracle and morality plays1

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Availa2le at: http:NNfiction)ritin-1a2out1comNodN-lossaryN-Nflatcharacters1htm

Popovi! ,oun- .oodman /ro)n 5he story is a2out the maturin- of the prota-onist .oodman /ro)n$ )ho ma6es a nocturnal ?ourney into the -loom of the forest in order to resolve his inner dou2ts after )hich he suffers a complete conversion of personality1 5he name of the prota-onist )as not chosen 2y accident$ it implies certain sym2olism1 /ut 2efore dealin- )ith the sym2olism$ it is important to mention that .oodman is a title used in &Mth$ )hich stands for mister$ also master of the

household or even a hus2and1 /y analo-y$ a female counterpart of the title )as .oody$ referrinto a mistress of a household or house)ife1 Sym2olism of colours is particularly important to stress$ as they reflect alle-orical function of the characters1 5hus /ro)n$ a miDture of )hite and 2lac6$ represents innocence tainted 2y evil or eDperience$ since 2lac6 and )hite are considered to 2e archetypal em2odiments of -ood and evil1 Moreover$ his ineDperience is even emphasiEed 2y the presence of the )ord +,oun-0 in the title of the story1 /y the end of the story /ro)n )ill suffer stri6intransformations of character$ as eDperience )ill stain his life )ith pessimism and 2itterness: 0 And )hen he had lived lon-$ and )as 2orne to his -rave$ a hoary corpse$ follo)ed 2y Faith$ an a-ed )oman$ and children and -rand-children$ a -oodly procession$ 2esides nei-h2ors$ not a fe)$ they carved no hopeful verse upon his tom2-stoneH for his dyin- hour )as -loom10 =(a)thorne :>1 Many literary critics previously mentioned colour sym2olism to identify .oodman /ro)n to Cveryman$ meanin- that his eDperience is common to all people and can 2e easily applied to all human 2ein-s that ever lived$ live or )ill live on planet Carth1 For this reason$ in addition to his alle-orical side$ /ro)n can 2e also termed as -eneric character as he lac6s the individuality1 5he purpose of alle-orical character is manifold1 'n 3hristian culture such characters )ere used for didactic purpose$ to alert people to possi2le conse7uences one may suffer$ if they diso2ey .od and -o astray1 Most commonly$ these alle-orical em2odiments of human nature served as a sort of a church*s instrument to fri-hten people$ and ma6e them follo) their doctrine 2lindly1 n the other hand$ (a)thorne used it to ?ustify himself$ to stress ho) ordinary such an eDperience is$ and that all people are 2asically prone to evil$ since it is the inte-ral part of their character1 (is aim )as not to criticiEe the evil itself$ 2ut his o)n ina2ility to cope )ith such a fact1

Popovi! &# Another parallel can 2e dra)n$ 2et)een .oodman /ro)n and the first man$ Adam1 Gi6e Adam$ /ro)n sou-ht after for2idden 6no)led-e1 Furthermore$ /ro)n )as similarly tempted 2y his fello) traveler$ Cve1 5his parallel is 2ased on puritan doctrine$ )hich perceives all men to 2e stained )ith the first sin of their forefather1 'n addition to it$ /ro)n )as also mar6ed 2y un6indly deeds of his ancestors1 5he eDploration of one*s su2consciousness )as not an easy tas6 to em2race in &Mth century America$ due to the immense authority that Puritans en?oyed$ i1e1 individuality )as not appreciated1 Michael 81 3ummin-s$ characteriEes .oodman /ro)n in his article as a +thrillsee6er0$ an Ullysses or Faust fi-ure$ 2ecause of his hun-er for 6no)led-e$ search for eDtreme challen-es and readiness to lose everythin- in order fulfill his desires1 As a true Puritan$ /ro)n )ent throu-h a conversion eDperience$ 2ut revelation he had received eventually 2ecame a 2itter one1 Upon leavin-$ his )ife Faith )as very apprehensive a2out his errand as she had dreamt that somethin- 2ad )as a2out to happen1 So he says: ++Poor little FaithO0 thou-ht he$ for his heart smote him1+4hat a )retch am '$ to leave her on such an errandO She tal6s of dreams$ too1 Methou-ht$ as she spo6e$ there )as trou2le in her face$ as if a dream had )arned her )hat )or6 is to 2e done to-ni-ht1 /ut$ no$ noO Pt)ould 6ill her to thin6 it1 4ellH shePs a 2lessed an-el on earthH and after this one ni-ht$ 'Pll clin- to her s6irts and follo) her to (eaven10=(a)thorne$ &>1 (o) stron- his determination )as is o2vious in his ea-erness to leave his ne)ly)ed )ife despite the fact that she )as left alone1 /ut also$ in the second part of the 7uotation author indicated that this errand had already 2een arran-ed$ that it )as the decision day1 'n the forest$ Fello) traveler$ ;evil$ provided /ro)n )ith spectral evidence in )hich all prominent$ merit people of Salem*s community )ere a2out to commence a )itch Sa22ath1 First$ the ;evil too6 the shape of his ancestors$ thus alludin- to their past involvement in the similar event1 5his is the tri--er of the -radual cessation of /ro)n*s ideals1 After)ards$ he meets his o)n reli-ious authorities$ namely .oody 3loyse and deacon .oo6in: +As he spo6e$ he pointed his staff at a female fi-ure on the path$ in )hom .oodman /ro)n reco-niEed a very pious and eDemplary dame$ )ho had tau-ht him his catechism$ in youth$ and )as still his moral and spiritual adviser$ ?ointly )ith the minister and ;eacon .oo6in10 =(a)thorne ">1

Popovi! && 5he advancement of his dissolution reached its pea6 )hen he noticed pin6 ri22on of his )ife Faith han-in- on a tree1 +My Faith is -oneO0 cried he$ after one stupefied moment1 +5here is no -ood on earthH and sin is 2ut a name1 3ome$ devilO for to thee is this )orld -iven10 =(a)thorne @>1 /ro)n*s confrontation )ith his ancestors created identity conflicts in still ineDperienced prota-onist1 ,et$ he )as not a)are of it since his feelin-s had not 2e-un to su2side1 +,oun.oodman /ro)n cau-ht hold of a tree$ for support$ 2ein- ready to sin6 do)n on the -round$ faint and over2urthened )ith the heavy sic6ness of his heart10 =(a)thorne @>1 4oman that tau-ht him catechism turned out to 2e a )itch$ ;eacon .oo6in presided over a notorious )itch -atherin-1 Aeli-ion he had 2een tau-ht proved to 2e hypocritical 2ecause their representatives )ere seen in a 2ad li-ht1 Not only )as his faith 2rou-ht to 7uestion 2ut it entirely ceased )hen he sa) the most innocent person 2ein- present at that haunted place-his )ife Faith1 (ere the am2i-uity of the )ord Faith is most o2vious$ 2ut this )ill 2e further discussed in the section on the character of Faith1 An-ie Soler tal6s of the +repressed evil0 that causes so painful discovery in ,oun.oodman /ro)n1 5his is in my opinion true$ since it is 2eyond one*s reach to cope )ith their impulses1 Cvil is innate$ it is the evolutional tie to our animal ancestors1 /y failin- to accept the state of affairs /ro)n falls into a conflict )ith himself )hich resulted in him 2ecomin- a 2itter$ disillusioned man1 No one is completely pure$ there in no such a simple 2inary opposition in human nature$ or in nature itself1 5he )orld is not necessarily 2lac6 or )hiteH it is a miDture of -ood and evil$ )here al)ays one is prevailin- at the eDpense of another*s decrease1 Aomantic influence$ namely /la6e$ is pretty easily o2served in the character of ,oun.oodman /ro)n1 't propa-ated the harmful impact of eDperience inevita2ly present on the path of life1 As opposed to Arcadian vie) of nature of Aomanticists$ (a)thorne$ Michael 81 3ummin-s points out$ used so called +primordial sym2ols01 +Primordial0 is ta6en from psycholo-ist 3arl .ustav 8un-$ meanin- +eDistin- from the 2e-innin- of time01 ne such sym2ol surely is forest1 +Gi6e)ise$ humans associate dar6 forests =li6e the one in I,oun- .oodman /ro)nI> )ith dan-er$ o2scurity$ confusion$ and the un6no)n or )ith evil$ sin$ and death10 =3ummin-s 9>1 Another thin- )orth mentionin- is that in that time$ forest )as a ha2itat of 'ndians$ and it -enerally posed a threat to American settlers1 (ence they associated the forest )ith somethin-

Popovi! &% dan-erous$ -loomy a death threatenin-1 /ein- uneDplored$ forest served as a perfect sym2ol for human su2consciousness as it )as itself dus6y and o2scure1 Maher eDplains that )hen /ro)n left the path to run )ildly throu-h the )oods he actually left the path of ri-hteousness so he is una2le to find it a-ain even if he desires to$ +for the )oods of sin are all dar6ness and confusion0 =Maher$ %>1 Furthermore$ 4a-en6necht discusses Ao2ert Mors2er-er*s hypothesis )hich e7uates /ro)n*s errand )ith Aip Qan 4in6le*s1 5he only point$ 7uotes 4a-en6necht$ +at )hich he could possi2ly fall asleep )ithin the story )ould 2e )here the ;evil leaves him to rest and ma6e up his mind a2out -oin- on or turnin- 2ac610 =4a-en6necht$ B">1 Furthermore$ 4a-en6necht sin-led out another Mors2er-er*s o2servance )hich states that /ro)n*s ?ourney into the dar6ness could 2e compared +to the youth )ho thin6s he )ill ?ust once try dru-s$ prostitution$ or some sort of perversity R?ust once$ to see )hat it*s li6e$ and never a-ain-and )ho -ets 2oo6ed into addiction or shoc6ed into fanatical reaction10 =4a-en6necht$ B9>1 ,et /ro)n is not even sure )hether this eDperience )as real or illusional1 'n his )or6$ 4a-en6necht tries to eDplain this dilemma 2y sayin-:0 5he story is a 6ind of alle-ory$ descri2inho) sin can destroy 2oth faith and ?oy1 5here is no forest ?ourney$ 2ut only +an in)ard ?ourney into the 2lac6$ despairin- depths of Syoun- .oodman /ro)nT soul10 5hrou-hout the story )e are -uided 2y /ro)n*s state of mind as these spectral evidences$ his vie) of nature$ the lau-hter that he heard are ?ust pro?ections of his fears and inner conflicts1

Popovi! &" 5he character of Faith As a character$ Faith is rather passive$ since she spea6s only at the 2e-innin- and throu-hout the story )e find out a2out her only throu-h /ro)n*s )ords1 5hus$ it is difficult to o2serve her character in isolation$ 2ecause of her mutual dependence )ith the prota-onist1 Aeal$ animate Faith )as tal6in- her hus2and out of -oin- on his ?ourney$ she )as ea-er to em2race him on his )ay 2ac61 4hereas Faith*s pro?ection con?ured on /ro)n*s )ay to Sa22ath is the one around )hom the am2i-uity is centered1 'n these situations$ 2oth interpretations are applica2le$ 2ut )ith a different meanin- of course1 n the one hand$ she represents /ro)n*s ne)ly)ed )ife1 n the other hand$ due to the meanin- of her name$ she is often said to em2ody /ro)n*s faith in .od$ in people$ in -oodness of his nei-h2ours$ 2ut also she stands for universal -ood in the )orld1 For this reason$ she is also termed as alle-orical character$ )hich is of course indicated 2y her name-Faith1 /y analo-y )ith .oodman /ro)n$ she represents the archetypal )oman-Cve1 5his parallel is o2vious since her presence is al)ays accompanied 2y the presence of her pin6 ri22ons1 5he 7uestion is ho) are Cve and Faith*s pin6 ri22ons connected to each otherL 4ell$ on the surface they are not 2ecause Cve is the tempter as she provo6es Adam to commit a sin )hereas Faith does not contri2ute to /ro)n*s decision on any similar matter1 't is Faith*s ri22ons that directly si-nify this relationship1 3hristian reli-ion proclaims that all men are sinful$ still Adam )ould not have sinned if it had not 2een for Cve1 5he vie) of )omen as immoral 2ein-s is commonly accepted amon- all people$ especially amon- true 3hristian or Puritan 2elievers1 4a-en6necht notices in the discussion on Faith*s ri22ons:0<their color$ and its si-nificance have practically used up all the attention critics have had to -ive to color and color sym2olism in this story10= 4a-en6necht B&>1 Furthermore$ 4a-en6necht enumerates several other opinions includin- (urley )ho thin6s that pin6 represents infancy )hile ;avis$ since pin6 is in-2et)een red and )hite$ prefers to define it as a +tainted innocence$ the spiritual imperfection of man6ind01 5herefore$ )e can conclude that these ri22ons represent feminine side of her character$ lust1 'n accordance )ith previous conclusion$ (offman states$ also included in 4a-en6nechtFs )or6$ that as far as men are concerned$ )omen are al)ays e7uated )ith seDuality1 (e also stresses another important fact1 At that time )itchesF Sa22aths )ere said to involve seDual or-ies as )ell as the mem2ers of Puritan community tried to em2ed the most 2lasphemous picture of )itches in people*s mind so that they could -ive themselves ri-ht to

Popovi! &9 ?ud-e and eDecute them1 5hus the emer-ence of Faith*s ri22ons$ as sym2ol of seDual desire$ can 2e the 2asis for (offman to ma6e such a statement1 5he most representative sentence to start )ith surely is +Faith 6ept me 2ac6 a )hile<0 =(a)thorne &>$ )hich )as an apolo-y to devil for him 2ein- and rather am2i-uous1 Not any more )as he prevented from em2racin- the evil$ as he thre) off the chains of reli-ion1 /y penetratin- farther into the forest his faith descended1 After he had seen another )oman ta6inthe devil*s path$ namely .oody 3loyse$ his 2eliefs )ere put in 7uestion: +4hat if a )retched old )oman do choose to -o to the devil$ )hen ' thou-ht she )as -oin- to (eavenO 's that any reason )hy ' should 7uit my dear Faith$ and -o after herL0 =(a)thorne 9> /y that time his faith had already faded a)ay1 nce he sa) his spiritual -uide -oin- astray his heart )as infected )ith dou2t1 Moreover$ he )as not even sure )hether his )ay )as a -ood one1 'n order to find it out$ he continued his ?ourney1 5he cessation of faith )as follo)ed 2y psychosomatic symptoms +,oun- .oodman /ro)n cau-ht hold of a tree$ for support$ 2ein- ready to sin6 do)n on the -round$ faint and over2urthened )ith the heavy sic6ness of his heart10 =(a)thorne$ @>1 5ryin- to resist$ he cried and called upon his faith to comfort him1 Not for a once did he considered the possi2ility of 7uittin- his errand1 (e fou-ht 2itter stru--les in his mind 2ut still continued )al6in-1 5his indul-ence meant even more deterioratin- state of his mind1 As soon as /ro)n loo6ed up to the heaven he noticed dar6 clouds floatin- directly a2ove him thus preventin- him from seein- the heaven1 5his scene directly alludes to his cut lin6s )ith faith1 5he story reached its climaD )hen /ro)n cau-ht a si-ht of Faith*s ri22ons flutterin- do)n throu-h the air1 'n despair he screamed: +My Faith is -oneO0 cried he$ after one stupefied moment1 +5here is no -ood on earthH and sin is 2ut a name1 3ome$ devilO for to thee is this )orld -iven10=(a)thorne$ @>1 Finally$ totally disillusioned$ /ro)n )eeps for his lost hope: +FaithO FaithO0 cried the hus2and1 +Goo6 up to (eaven$ and resist the 4ic6ed neO0=(a)thorne$ :>$ as he felt that everythin- had 2een lost 2y then$ and there )as no -oin- 2ac61 (e had already entered the )orld of evil1 ne of the reasons of /ro)n*s despair )as seein- the most pure$ innocent )oman in his life participatin- in such a 2lasphemous act1 /y turnin- 2ac6 on his )ife$ faith left him$ 2ecause he eDchan-ed the sanctity of marria-e for a ni-ht )ith devil1 vercome )ith -rief$ he realiEed that everythin- he had ever 2elieved )as a charade1 All the people he trusted turned out to 2e

Popovi! &@ poor reflections of his ideals so he failed to accept the state of affairs and fell into a deep depression1 5he role of the Faith can 2e vie)ed from another perspective$ auto2io-raphical one1 (a)thorne )as raised 2y his mother$ since his father died )hen he )as only 9 years old1 First contact )ith reli-ion )as throu-h his mother as she tau-ht him of strict puritan doctrine1 (ence he su2consciously connected the notion of faith )ith females1 /y realiEin- that everythin- his mother had tau-ht him )as an illusion$ (a)thorne depicts his am2ivalent attitude in the character of Faith1 (ence the eDplanation if /ro)n*s unconfidence to)ards his 2eloved )ife1 5he -reatest paradoD of all is that Faith is ?ust as any other human 2ein-$ sinful and mar6ed )ith imperfection1 (o) ordinary she is can 2e pretty easy reco-niEed in her attempt to pu2licly 6iss her hus2and$ )hich )as considered impolite at that time1 She sou-ht after intimacy as she missed her hus2and1 't )as not she that chan-ed$ her character )as rather constant$ 2ut .oodman /ro)n chan-ed his perception of the )orld around him$ seein- the people around him as a -roup of hypocrits1 /y searchin- for her perfection he failed to realiEe her true 7ualities$ 2y losin- his illusion of Faith as a pure )oman he even dou2ts her fidelity1 (er appearance at Sa22ath /ro)n sa) as an act of treachery of .od1 Unfortunately$ /ro)n relates her infidelity to)ards .od to her martial fidelity$ thus 2ecomin- suspicious and distant to)ards his )ife$ )hich is specifically indicated in the follo)in- sentence: 0 5urnin- the corner 2y the meetin-house$ he spied the head of Faith$ )ith the pin6 ri22ons$ -aEin- anDiously forth$ and 2urstin- into such ?oy at si-ht of him$ that she s6ips alon- the street$ and almost 6issed her hus2and 2efore the )hole villa-e10 /ut$ .oodman /ro)n loo6ed sternly and sadly into her face$ and passed on )ithout a -reetin-10 =(a)thorne$ :>1 /ro)n spent the rest of the life 2esides his )ife and children$ forever dou2tin- in the -loom of his mind1

Popovi! &B 5he character of ;evil ;evil is also a character )hich has a lon- history of sta-in- on the pa-es of various 2oo6s1 ;ou2tless$ it represents sinfulness$ innate human predisposition to)ards evil1 (is function$ as )ell as /ro)n*s and Faith*s$ is alle-orical as he em2odies evil side of every man$ or in accordance )ith Freud*s theory$ evil is inte-ral part of our natural instinct for survival contained in 'd1 'n literature$ devil often ma6es a 2ar-ain )ith the prota-onist$ )ho is most commonly an overreacher tryin- to -ain for2idden 6no)led-e1 (ence$ Faustus sold his soul to the Mephistopheles$ so that he can em2race all the 6no)led-e of the )orld1 5hat is ho) the term +Faustian 2ar-ain0 is coined$ referrin- to those )ho deal )ith the devil1 /ro)n too ma6es one such +Faustian 2ar-ain0$ )hich is not eDplicitly implied in the story 2ut rather hinted in the sentence: +<of all ni-hts in the year$ this one ni-ht must ' tarry a)ay from thee1 My ?ourney$ as thou callest it$ forth and 2ac6 a-ain$ must needs 2e done Pt)iDt no) and sunrise0 =(a)thorne$ &> 1 From this )e conclude that his errand )as already arran-ed1 4a-en6necht points out that ;evil*s supernaturalism is indicated in the follo)insentence:0 5he cloc6 of the ld South )as stri6in- as ' came throu-h /ostonH and that is full fifteen minutes a-one10 =(a)thorne$ &>1 5he careful reader )ould notice that Salem and /oston are pretty far a)ay1 Also$ in accordance )ith Puritan doctrine )hich states that +devilPs natural domain is here in the real )orld0 =Maher$ &>$ devil transformed into various shapes throu-hout the story$ thus ta6in- the appearances of /ro)n*s ancestors +11the second traveller )as a2out fifty years old$ apparently in the same ran6 of life as .oodman /ro)n$ and 2earin- a considera2le resem2lance to him$ thou-h perhaps more in eDpression than features1 Still$ they mi-ht have 2een ta6en for father and son10 5he reason )hy the ;evil mas7ueraded himself as deceased mem2ers of /ro)n family )as to -ain /ro)n*s confidence so that he could persuade him to follo) his path1 ;evil*s shapes )ere numerous: +fello) traveler0$ +the traveler0$ +the elder person0$ +the shape of ld .oodman /ro)n0$ etc1 'n order to prove his statement +' have a very -eneral ac7uaintance here in Ne)Cn-land0 =(a)thorne$ %> ;evil used so called +Spectral evidence0$ apparitions sta-ed 2y himself to -ain the prota-onist*s trust1 A )ide ran-e of Salem*s prominent people too6 part in it$ namely

Popovi! &M .oody 3loyse$ ;eacon .oo6in$ his )ife Faith$ Martha 3arrier$ etc1 5hese apparitions sha6en already fee2le faith of ,oun- .oodman /ro)n1 As .re-ory points out$ ;evil succeeded in plantin- the seed of suspicion and dou2t in the youn- manPs mind1 Upon arrival$ /ro)n -ave an eDcuse )hich is rather am2i-uous and already mentioned in the section devoted to the character of Faith$ +Faith 6ept me 2ac6 a )hile10=(a)thorne$ &>1 ;evil )as his -uide throu-h the 2rief history of human nature1 /ro)n learnt that ;evil ac7uainted his ancestors$ as he helped his -randfather +)hen he lashed the Kua6er )oman so smartly throu-h the streets of Salem10 =(a)thorne$ %>$ and he 2rou-ht his father +a pitch-pine 6notS 6indled at my o)n hearthT to set fire to an 'ndian villa-e$ in Kin- PhilipPs )ar10=(a)thorne$ %>1 4hen /ro)n started 7uestionin- himself )hether to stic6 to his faith or to follo) the other path the ;evil su--ested to him: +Sit here and rest yourself a)hileH and )hen you feel li6e movin- a-ain$ there is my staff to help you alon-10 =(a)thorne$ 9>1 As the /ro)n advanced do)n the road$ ;evil )as -radually a2andonin- him$ leavin- the youn-$ dismayed man all alone )ith his conscience1 Another thin- )orth mentionin- )hen it comes to ;evil is his +stuff01 .re-ory is 7uotinseveral important sentences in his article: +S4Then the dia2olic companion thro)s his t)isted staff do)n at the feet of .oody 3loyse$0 the act references the 2i2lical story of +Aaron S)hoT had thro)n do)n his rod =staff> 2efore Pharoah$ and so had the ma-icians of C-ypt done )ith theirs$ and all 2ecame serpents 1 1 1 0 =(ale &M>1 +5herefore$ )ithin an alle-orical or typolo-ical frame)or6$ the staff of /ro)n*s companion is 2einlin6ed )ith the opponents of Moses and of the .od of 'srael1 1 1 1 't typifies deformity$ evil$ all that )hich fascinates /ro)n0 =(ale &:>1 8ust as the rods =staffs> of the C-yptian ma-icians had 2ecome serpents )hen thro)n do)n 2efore Pharoah$ so +(a)thorne su--ests )onder-)or6in-$ therefore po)er$ in the stran-e antics of the t)isted staff 1 1 1 1 the sym2olism is that of a stru--le$ a universal =not merely seDual> stru--le for possession of the mind0 =(ale &:>1 =.re-ory> 4ithout a dou2t$ stuff is associated )ith the sym2ol of evil1 't is a supplement to characteriEation$ used to ma6e the ;evil more convinci2le and fri-htenin- as a character1 Allusion to serpentine directly points to the first sin$ in )hich Adam =in this case /ro)n> came across the serpentine =;evil )ith his stuff> in the -arden of Cden1

Popovi! &: 3onclusion My personal o2servance of the theme in 7uestion is psycholo-ically 2ased on Freud*s structural model of the psyche1 5he triplet of characters corresponds to three theoretical$ mental constructs id$ e-o and super-e-o1 'd has a dual nature as it consists of t)o opposed instincts: 5anatos representin- destructive instinct of death and Cros representin- human )ill to live1 (ence$ ;evil could 2e e7uated )ith id$ as human instinct for survival is necessarily evil since it includes selfishness and )orry for oneself only1 Stuff$ as an inte-ral part of ;evil*s character$ could represent this destructive side of human character$ in other )ords 5anatos1 ,oun.oodman /ro)n is e-o$ since he is 2alancin- 2et)een the primitive instinct-id$ reality and those eDpectations )hich society imposes on an individual-super e-o1 /ro)n could not cope )ith his animal$ evil side of the character therefore he allo)ed himself 2ein- overcome )ith -rief thus follo)in- the path of least resistance1 (is painful revelation thre) him into an eternal -loom ?ust 2ecause ha failed to accept the thin-s as they )ere1 Finally$ Faith stands for pure products of civiliEation$ in this case reli-ion imposed reluctantly on social individuals1 Super-e-o is a sort of a controller of id$ a miDture of our id and e-o1 For a )hile Faith prevented /ro)n from em2racin- the ;evil until he re?ected all social norms$ retreated and spent the rest of his life in solitude1 Since the )hole story is 2asically centered on prota-onist$ ' find important to mention my personal impression of ,oun- .oodman /ro)n1 'n my opinion he is a true idealist1 ,es it is true that the eDperience he came throu-h )as a 2itter one$ and it is somethin- that most people are dealin- )ith every sin-le day1 (o)ever$ he reacted in an unusual )ay 2y ma6in- him self an outcast even of his o)n life1 (e ?ust could not face the truth that people are not perfect$ that there is not even one completely pure 2ein-1 (is catechism teacher .oody 3loyse tau-ht him that all people are sinfulH ho)ever it loo6s as if he did not learn it in a proper )ay as he )as disappointed )ith entire human race1 (e failed to realiEe$ that faith is an inner feelin-$ not somethin- of )hich all people have the same notion1 'n this respect$ the auto2io-raphical element is more than o2vious1 (a)thorne )as an alien in his o)n life too$ his ideals )ere 2ased solely on his ima-ination due to the lac6 of eDperience1 All he ever )anted )as to clear his ancestor*s name1 /ut it )as a hard tas6 to accomplishH instead he )ithdre) into the dar6ness of his heart1

Popovi! &J Aefrences: 3ummin-s$ Michael 81 111 Young Goodman Brown By Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) A Study Guide availa2le at http:NN)))1cummin-sstudy-uides1netN/ro)n1html$ last visited on &Jth April %##J .re-ory$ Geslie 0 !a"or #mage$ %ound in Hawthorne&$ 'Young Goodman Brown00$ availa2le at http:NNitech1f-cu1eduNfacultyN)ohlpartNalraN(a)thorne1htm$ last visited on &Jth April %##J (a)thorne$ Nathaniel1Young Goodman Brown availa2le at http:NNitech1f-cu1eduNfacultyN)ohlpartNalraN(a)thorne1htm$ last visited on &Jth April %##J1 8ames$ (enry1 Hawthorne Availa2le at http:NN2oo6s1-oo-le1comN2oo6sL idUav%y4rQKsN:3VprintsecUfrontcoverVd7U(enryW8amesha)thorneVsourceU2lVotsUAXrAe@ShS9Vsi-UAeAU-#'M/-Sd;"NhGe#DYZiB &/sVhlUenVeiUKQnYSEsP83N 8rC%GKPVsaUXVoiU2oo6ZresultVctUresultVresnumU%VvedU#3A#KB AC)AK[vUonepa-eV7VfUfalse$ last visited on &Jth April %##J Mc3a2e$ Michael C10 (he )on$e*uen+e$ o, -uritan .e/ra0ity and .i$tru$t a$ Hi$tori+al )onte1t ,or Hawthorne2$ 3Young Goodman BrownI0$ availa2le at http:NNitech1f-cu1eduNfacultyN)ohlpartNalraN(a)thorne1htm$ last visited on &Jth April %##J Paci!$/1 Nathaniel Hawthorne$ UniverEitet u Niu$ Ni$ &JJ& Shoema6er$ 8ac7ueline1 +Hawthorne2$ 4ealm o, !orality5 Biogra/hi+al )onte1t$ ,or 3Young Goodman BrownI01 availa2le at http:NNitech1f-cu1eduNfacultyN)ohlpartNalraN(a)thorne1htm$ last visited on &Jth April %##J Soler$ An-ie1 +(he 6ourney #nto the -uritan Heart5 Nathaniel Hawthorne2$ 3Young Goodman BrownI01 availa2le at http:NNitech1f-cu1eduNfacultyN)ohlpartNalraN(a)thorne1htm$ last visited on &Jth April %##J 4a-en6necht$ C1 Nathaniel Hawthorne7 (he !an7 Hi$ (ale$ and 4oman+e$$ Frederic6 Un-ar /oo6$ Ne) ,or6$ &J:J1