ety. He wants to test sin, even though he knows it is dangerous. This first step proves that evil often begins with small disobedience.
The Devil’s Presence in Human Life: In the forest, Brown meets the mysterious traveller with a serpent–like staff. This figure is the Devil. He looks like Brown’s father. It means evil is part of the human bloodline. The Devil says he has walked with Brown’s grandfather and father. This shows how evil passes from one generation to another. Brown learns that even his family history is not free from sin. The Devil says he once helped Brown’s grandfather beat a Quaker woman in Salem. The Devil also says he helped Brown’s father set fire to an Indian village during a war.
Goody Cloyse, the Minister, and Deacon Gookin: Brown feels shocked when he sees Goody Cloyse, his old teacher, greet the Devil. He whispers,
“That old woman taught me my catechism!”
Later, he hears that the Minister and Deacon Gookin are also going to the devil’s meeting. These people were religious leaders of Salem. Yet they, too, fall into sin. This proves Hawthorne’s point that even holy figures carry hidden evil inside.
Faith’s Ribbon and Loss of Innocence: From the sky, a pink ribbon falls. Brown recognizes this. This ribbon is his wife’s. He cries,
“My Faith is gone!”
Here, Faith means both his wife and his belief. He feels that goodness has disappeared. He then shouts in despair,
“Come, devil! For to thee is this world given.”
This moment shows that when man sees evil in others, his own inner evil grows stronger. Brown is ready to accept sin.
The Devil’s Sermon and the Truth of Mankind: At the fiery altar, the dark leader welcomes the crowd. He tells them,
“Welcome, my children … to the communion of your race.”
Everyone, including Goodman Brown and Faith, stands before him. Around them stand villagers, ministers, deacons, women, and men. Some are seen as holy, some as sinful. But in that place, they all look the same. There is no difference between good and bad. This moment shows the deep truth about mankind. Every human heart has some hidden sin. People may act holy in public, but they also carry dark secrets inside.
The story ends with Goodman Brown losing trust in everyone. He cannot see goodness anymore. He lives in gloom and dies without hope. Through Salem, Faith, Goody Cloyse, Deacon Gookin, and the Devil’s sermon, Hawthorne shows that sin is part of human nature. People may hide behind religion, but evil is always present. Thus, the story strongly proves the line: “Evil is the nature of mankind.”
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