Young Goodman Brown Sin Analysis
Sin in the Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne
After analyzing several of Nathaniel Hawthorne 's short stories, it becomes apparent to the reader that he often wrote using the recurring theme of sin. Though sin is present in all of his works, there is much variation on the ways in which his characters come to understand the inherent evil that lurks inside every human being. Whether expressed in the form of selfishness, passion, or obsession, the sin is somehow masked and concealed from others, and prevents humans from achieving pure goodness (O 'Toole). Among Hawthorne 's many literary works, "The Birthmark," "The Minister 's Black Veil," and "Young Goodman Brown" provide excellent examples in depicting the variances among the common theme of evil and sin.
In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne creates a conflict between Brown and his own acceptance of sin in mankind. In the story, Goodman Brown ventures into the forest, where he meets a man who is described as, "about fifty years old...and bearing a considerable resemblance to him [Brown], though perhaps more in expression than …show more content…
Even the minister, who is the closest human to God, is there participating. However, possibly the most noteworthy character in attendance is Brown 's wife, Faith, who he previously called, "a blessed angel on earth." (Hawthorne, "Young Goodman Brown," 738) While Goodman Brown went into the forest with the belief that all of his neighbors were pure and sin-free, he exited with an opposing opinion of them and can no longer look at them the same way he used to. With the statement, "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given," (742) Hawthorne reiterates his theme that evil is present in the world, in both nature and the human spirit, and that even the most holy of people have some hidden evil lurking inside of
After analyzing several of Nathaniel Hawthorne 's short stories, it becomes apparent to the reader that he often wrote using the recurring theme of sin. Though sin is present in all of his works, there is much variation on the ways in which his characters come to understand the inherent evil that lurks inside every human being. Whether expressed in the form of selfishness, passion, or obsession, the sin is somehow masked and concealed from others, and prevents humans from achieving pure goodness (O 'Toole). Among Hawthorne 's many literary works, "The Birthmark," "The Minister 's Black Veil," and "Young Goodman Brown" provide excellent examples in depicting the variances among the common theme of evil and sin.
In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne creates a conflict between Brown and his own acceptance of sin in mankind. In the story, Goodman Brown ventures into the forest, where he meets a man who is described as, "about fifty years old...and bearing a considerable resemblance to him [Brown], though perhaps more in expression than …show more content…
Even the minister, who is the closest human to God, is there participating. However, possibly the most noteworthy character in attendance is Brown 's wife, Faith, who he previously called, "a blessed angel on earth." (Hawthorne, "Young Goodman Brown," 738) While Goodman Brown went into the forest with the belief that all of his neighbors were pure and sin-free, he exited with an opposing opinion of them and can no longer look at them the same way he used to. With the statement, "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given," (742) Hawthorne reiterates his theme that evil is present in the world, in both nature and the human spirit, and that even the most holy of people have some hidden evil lurking inside of