When studying allegorical texts, it is important that students understand the concept as a foundation for the reading. An allegory is like an extended metaphor, where elements of the story are symbolic of a deeper meaning. Since allegories are works that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning (usually moral or political), it is important that students engage not only with the surface details, but with this deeper level as well.
In “Young Goodman Brown”, Hawthorne uses each character to represent an extended metaphor for the balance between heaven and hell, goodness and evil, and even his loss of faith. By using a storyboard, students can visually depict each of these symbols.
This story is meant to be an allegorical reference to Adam and Eve and the fall of man. As Brown is tempted by the stranger with the serpent’s staff, his curiosity and the Devil's trickery get the better of him. Brown knows he should stay away from the ceremony in the forest, but the temptation to know if Faith was there or not became too great for him. By going to the ceremony, Brown gains knowledge that changes him for the worst and causes him to lose faith in humanity.
In the story, Faith is Brown’s wife. When we first see her, Hawthorne makes note of a pink ribbon in her hair; a symbol of her innocence. As Brown makes his journey throughout the forest, he continually uses “Faith” as his motivation to stay true. However, when he hears Faith’s voice, which he presumes is heard from the Devil’s ceremony, he rushed forward. This time we see Faith ‘cloaked’; when the hoods of the inductees are lifted, Brown learns that his “Faith” is gone. As he looks around and sees numerous community members, including his wife, consorting with the Devil, he metaphorically and literally loses his wife and his religious faith.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows examples of allegory in "Young Goodman Brown".
Group activities make learning allegory fun and accessible. When students work together, they share ideas and support each other’s understanding of symbolic meaning.
Mix students with different strengths and interests to encourage active participation and peer learning. Each group member can contribute a unique perspective.
Choose passages from “Young Goodman Brown” or similar texts that feature clear symbols. This helps students focus their analysis and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Encourage students to look for objects, characters, or events that represent deeper meanings. Ask guiding questions to help them connect these symbols to broader themes.
Let students create posters, diagrams, or digital slides to illustrate their interpretations. Sharing with the class boosts confidence and reinforces learning for everyone.
The allegory in 'Young Goodman Brown' represents the struggle between good and evil within humanity. Characters and events act as symbols for moral, religious, and societal conflicts, showing how temptation and loss of faith can lead to a darker view of human nature.
Hawthorne uses powerful symbolism, such as Faith's pink ribbon for innocence and the serpent staff for temptation, to deepen the story's themes. Each character and object helps illustrate the internal and external battles between goodness and evil.
Students can learn that allegories reveal hidden meanings about morality and faith. The story shows how losing trust in others and oneself can change a person's outlook, offering a cautionary tale about suspicion and cynicism.
Use a storyboard activity: have students identify symbols (like Faith and the forest), connect them to larger ideas (innocence, temptation), and illustrate these connections visually. This makes the concept of allegory clear and engaging for students.
Faith's pink ribbon is a central symbol of innocence and purity. When Goodman Brown sees it fall, it signals his loss of faith—both in his wife and in religion—highlighting the story's deeper allegorical message.