colors. Pink in this text seems to represent sexual desire and on a more basic metaphoric level, human skin and flesh. Along with the color, the ribbons themselves allude to Faith. At each point when the reader hears of the ribbons, Faith is either present or spoken about. The most interesting action with the ribbons involved is the forest scene. Goodman Brown stopped to rest in the forest when he notices a dark cloud cross the sky. Brown hears voices in the forest and cries out for Faith. Suddenly the cloud sweeps away, and a pink ribbon falls from the sky. Most critics agree that this is an important point in the story. “The ribbon falling from the sky in the dark forest indicates that she has succumbed to temptation”, says Harry Campbell(5). He goes on to say, “Brown’s perception of the falling ribbon indicates also that he has ceased to struggle against temptation, and immediately rushes to the Witches’ Sabbath” (5). Indeed this is a critical point to the structure of the story. Brown discovers that his wife has given in to sin and the evil side, therefore causing Brown to break down and fall victim to what he believes is evil.Another aspect of the ribbons in the forest scene is their contrast to the staff that Goodman Brown carries. “The pink ribbons blend with the serpentine staff in what becomes a fierce orgy of lust”, says Campbell (4). Along with the contrast of the staff and ribbons, the staff itself is an item of interest for psychoanalysis. As with all psychoanalysis, there is generally some mention of phallic figures. This staff given to Goodman Brown is an obvious one. Although the staff has penis-like qualities and is described as “serpent-like” and “it seem to twist and wiggle”, the staff is representative of something more profound. The staff originally belonged to the man Brown meets in the woods. The stranger is described as olde...
