ess, where the devil can alter his perceptions. The longer the devil can get Goodman Brown to stay in the forest (buried in thought of deep consciousness), the easier it will be for him to effect his conscience. “Too far! Too far!,” exclaimed Goodman Brown, “unconsciously resuming his walk. My father never went into the woods on suchh an errand, nor his father before him,”. The devil than tells Goodman Brown that he had lead his father and grandfather on this same journey; and thus he starts to challenge the conscious perceptions that Goodman Brown holds. The devil makes many characters appear on the path, who have aided in forming the perceptions that Goodman Brown holds; Goody Close, Deacon Gookin, the minister, Faith. Almost every religious acquaintance of Goodman Brown’s is seen on his journey, as well as his wife, Faith. The devil continues to make Goodman Brown question his conscience, by altering the personalities of these people. They say things to Goodman Brown, to make him question his beliefs and perceptions; for example, the devil asks Goody Cloyse, “Then Goody Cloyse knows her old friend?”, and she cries, “Ah forsooth, and is it your worship indeed?” At this point, Goodman Brown hasn’t gotten deep enough into the woods (into the depths of consciousness), to allow the devil to completely alter his thoughts. He is hesitant in believing what he hears, and says to the devil, “my mind is made up. Not another step will I budge on this errand. What if a wretched old woman do choose to go to the devil when I thought she was going to heaven: is that any reason why I should quit my dear Faith and go after her?”. The devil replies, “you will think better of this by and by,” (as he gets further into the woods/with time, as he is consciously contemplating). “Sit here and rest yourself a while: and when you feel like moving again, ther...
