In “Young Goodman Brown,” Hawthorne uses the symbols of Goodman Brown, the people he meets in the forest, and the drop of dew that falls upon his cheek to develop the theme of hypocrisy.

... Alex Johnson Buchanan LA 398 13 December 2001 Thesis statement: In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne uses the symbols of Goodman Brown, the people he meets in the forest, and the drop of dew that falls upon his cheek to develop the theme of hypocrisy. One symbol that helps develop the theme of hypocrisy in Puritan society is the symbol of Goodman Brown. His first name is Goodman, which refers that Brown is a good person. However, his last name is Brown. Brown symbolizes "dead leaves, autumn, and melancholy," which has negative connotations (Chevalier 127). Therefore, Goodman Brown is internally evil. In the beginning of "Young Goodman Brown", Goodman Brown leaves his wife, Faith, who represents Goodman Brown's religious faith and moral beliefs. Instead of remaining with her, Brown embarks "on his evil purpose [onto] a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest" (Hawthorne 1). Goodman Brown is hypocritical of himself

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