ds, an implication of sin and witchcraft. In her hair, Faith wears pink ribbons, which are a sign of her innocence and playfulness. When Goodman Brown sees her pink ribbons in her hair, he is aware of her innocence, so when he finds a pink ribbon belonging to her clinging to a tree branch in the woods, he doubts the faith of her and of all those around him.The woods are also an important symbol in the tale of Young Goodman Brown. The story is written in times past, when the woods were thought of as evil places where witchcraft often took place. This is reinforced when Goodman Brown sees the townspeople amongst him in the woods, and is appalled to see them, his wife and the preacher included. Also, it is mentioned that the stranger he meets in the woods bears a strong resemblance to Goodman Brown, signifying that he resembles evil and sin. He even stops midway and considers returning to Faith, meaning he considered leaving sin to rejoin the Christian life. Instead he continues on his journey, and encounters what resembles a dark gathering of sin and witchcraft. When in the middle of the woods, Goodman Brown even cries out for Faith, for she is nowhere to be seen. This is a reference to the fact that there is no hope or innocence in a life of sin and evil, which are referred to as the woods. The tale of “Young Goodman Brown” is one full of symbolism and imagery. It is full of literal meanings and many references to Christian life and to evil and sin. Characters in the story and also settings make up these references to goodness and evil, and are represented throughout the piece. The symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” is highlighted with Young Goodman Brown, his wife, Faith, and the woods he spends time in on his journey....
