Ambiguity and Uncertainty in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown

Ambiguity and Uncertainty in Young Goodman Brown In Young Goodman Brown, Nathaniel Hawthorne, through the use of deceptive imagery, creates a sense of uncertainty that illuminates the theme of mans inability to operate within a framework of moral absolutism. Within every man there is an innate difference between good and evil and Hawthornes deliberate use of ambiguity mirrors this complexity of human nature. Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown, is misled by believing in the perfectibility of humanity and in the existence of moral absolutes. According to Nancy Bunge, Hawthorne naturally centers his story upon a Puritan protagonist to convey the self-righteous that he regards as the antithesis of wisdom(4). Consequently, Young†¦show more content†¦This contrast is easily revealed in the following sentence: the wind tolled like a distant church-bell, and sometimes gave a broad roar around the traveler, as if all Nature were laughing him to scorn (Hawthorne 1204). Whereas the wind affectionately plays with Faiths pink ribbons, it noisily taunts Young Goodman Brown. Also, as Nina Baym suggests, both the wind and the pink ribbons may, in fact, provide concrete symbols that link the saving power of the woman with her body and through her body to Nature (138). Hawthorne visually enhances the ambiguity surrounding Faiths dual role in nature through his repetitive and symbolic use of the pink ribbons. There is deceit and uncertainty in the very color pink that exists somewhere between the extremes of white, representing grace and purity, and red, symbolizing fiery passion and sin. However, Young Goodman Brown, in his naà ¯ve belief of moral absolutes, is unable to decide upon the essentially complex double meaning that may be behind the very being of Faiths character. As a result, he sees Faith gracefully adorned with her pink ribbons, as the essence of angelic purity. Young Goodman Browns inability to acknowledge, and even embrace Faiths humanity, leads to the climatic loss of his faith in the forest. He beholds the pink ribbon that hasShow MoreRelated Ambiguity in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1743 Words   |  7 PagesAmbiguity in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚         There is no end to the ambiguity in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†; this essay hopes to explore this problem.    Peter Conn in â€Å"Finding a Voice in an New Nation† makes a statement regarding Hawthorne’s ambiguity:      Almost all of Hawthorne’s finest stories are remote in time or place. The glare of contemporary reality immobillized his imagination. 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