and great trust in the goodness of people. But he also has curiosity to see what lies beyond the simple world he knows. This curiosity makes him go into the dark forest, where he faces the test of his faith. Hawthorne writes,

“Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset…”

The sunset here marks the end of his innocence and the start of darkness in his heart. So, the word “Young” tells us that the story is about a man’s first step into the real world, where he must face sin and doubt.

“Goodman” – A Symbol of Common Man: In Puritan times, the word “Goodman” was used instead of “Mister.” It was a respectful title for ordinary men, like farmers or townsmen. So, Goodman Brown represents every common man, simple, religious, and everyday person of Hawthorne’s time.

Through Goodman Brown, Hawthorne shows how even an ordinary person can face deep moral and spiritual conflict. Brown believes himself to be good and faithful. But once he enters the forest, he meets the Devil. He sees that everyone around him—the minister, Deacon Gookin, even his wife Faith—seems to be sinful. This shakes his belief in goodness. He cries, 

“My Faith is gone!”

It has two meanings. He loses both his wife, named Faith, and his inner faith in religion. Hawthorne uses this name to show that all humans, no matter how ordinary or faithful, have to fight temptation and evil inside themselves.

“Brown” – Symbol of Common Humanity: The surname “Brown” is very simple and plain. It was one of the most common family names in America. By choosing this name, Hawthorne suggests that Goodman Brown is not a special man—he stands for all of humanity. The color brown is also a mix of light and dark, good and evil, purity and sin—all existing together in human nature. Hawthorne uses this name to show that there can be evil in a good man. He writes:

“Evil is the nature of mankind.”

Every person, no matter how religious or good, carries both good and bad inside. Goodman Brown’s experience in the forest is not only his story—it is the story of every human soul searching for truth and fighting doubt.

The Whole Title – A Moral Journey: When we put all three words together—Young Goodman Brown—the title becomes the symbol of mankind’s spiritual journey. It represents a young, innocent person who believes in goodness but is tested by evil. It tells us that loss of faith and innocence is a universal human experience. Hawthorne’s story warns us that doubt and mistrust can destroy peace of mind.

In conclusion, the title “Young Goodman Brown” perfectly fits the story. The word “Young” shows innocence, “Goodman” stands for the common man, and “Brown” represents the mixed nature of humanity. Through this simple title, Hawthorne gives us the essence of his story—a tale of a young man’s fall from faith and the loss of spiritual innocence.