hat era. It is also the day one would take a bath not as it is today where bathing is a daily ritual. Dressed up in clean attire a young man, being his own master, is ready to 'paint the town red' as the saying goes.It is surprising that he does not take the excellent advice that he gives to his wife, "Say thy prayers, dear Faith, and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee." It is interesting that this is the same model advice written in most almanacs of that period. Here he himself has the keys to salvation but consciously does not use them.As Goodman Brown embarks upon his journey he knows that it is an evil mission he has embarked upon. This is in stark contrast to Dante finding himself in a dark wood. Dante knew not how he arrived in the woods. Being a neophyte in the ways of the world Goodman Brown questions, practically on the outset of his journey, what is behind the numerous trees of the forest he has entered. A new traveler through such a dark forest would not, of course, know these things. This is reminiscence of the Bushman of Africa who knows precisely what is behind every boulder, tree, and bush in his forest in contrast to the White Hunter that comes into his world scared out of his wit and would not take a step without the Bushman’s guidance. Young Goodman Brown even reflects, "what if the devil himself should be at my very elbow!" Catholic children are taught there is a devil on one shoulder and an angel on another to guide them through life. They better choose well. This phase hints at that religious idea as well as the narrative as a whole being Faith, his wife, was his angel.The title of the story is prefaced with the word "Young" as opposed to an "Elderly" version of Goodman Brown? As the account unravel this would seem to be the case. Almost immediately after the remark about the "devil" he see his friend waiting for him. His friend immediately takes position at his side (elbow?) as th...
