The portrayal of female characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” is a complex and nuanced topic. The story has two main female characters: Goodman Brown’s wife, Faith, and the mysterious woman in the forest who tempts him to join the devil’s meeting. Both characters are depicted in different ways and serve different purposes in the story.
Firstly, Faith is portrayed as a round and dynamic character. At the beginning of the story, she is described as “a blessed angel on earth” who would “vanish into the darkened forest, and leave him alone to wander whither he might” (Hawthorne, 1835, p. 850). This depiction of Faith as an idealized symbol of purity and innocence reinforces traditional gender stereotypes of women as morally upright and virtuous. However, as the story progresses, Faith becomes a symbol of temptation and corruption, as Goodman Brown imagines her attending the devil’s meeting in the forest and realizes that his wife is not as pure as he once thought. This transition from an idealized symbol of purity to a corrupted temptress characterizes Faith as a round and dynamic character who undergoes significant changes throughout the story. This portrayal challenges traditional gender stereotypes by showing that women are not necessarily static or one-dimensional but can be complex and multi-faceted.
Moreover, the portrayal of Faith also challenges traditional gender roles by showing a woman who is not passive or subservient to her husband. When Goodman Brown tells Faith to stay behind and resist temptation while he goes into the forest, she responds, “Then God bless you! And may you find all well when you come back” (Hawthorne, 1835, p. 850). This response shows Faith is not a meek and obedient wife but an independent and supportive partner. This portrayal challenges traditional gender roles by showing that women can have agency and independence within a marriage.
Further, Faith’s name is also symbolic, representing the protagonist’s Faith in God and his moral principles. Her absence in the final scene, where Goodman Brown becomes a cynical and bitter man, suggests that he has lost his Faith in humanity and the world’s righteousness. Thus, Faith’s character is not only a symbol of purity and temptation but also represents the protagonist’s moral compass and his journey toward moral decay.
On the other hand, the mysterious woman in the forest is portrayed as a flat and static character. She is described as “beautiful but appallingly dressed, like some wild, untaught creature of the forest,” with a “snake-like staff” and “black ribbon” in her hair, emphasizing her seductive and dangerous nature (Hawthorne, 1835, p. 852). This depiction reinforces traditional gender stereotypes of women as manipulative and deceitful, whose beauty can lead men astray. Moreover, the woman’s static characterization implies that she has no depth or complexity beyond her role as a temptress, serving only to advance the male protagonist’s journey into temptation and corruption.
However, it is essential to note that Hawthorne’s portrayal of these female characters does not necessarily reflect his own beliefs or attitudes toward gender roles and stereotypes. The story is set in a Puritan society, where women were often restricted to domestic roles and subjected to strict moral standards. Therefore, the portrayal of Faith as an idealized symbol of purity and the mysterious woman as a temptress may reflect the cultural and societal norms of the time rather than Hawthorne’s personal views. Additionally, the fact that Faith undergoes significant changes throughout the story and is characterized as a round and dynamic character suggests that Hawthorne was aware of the limitations of gender stereotypes and attempted to subvert them through his writing.
Furthermore, Hawthorne’s symbolism in portraying these female characters adds complexity to their representation. For example, Faith’s pink ribbons are mentioned several times throughout the story and symbolize her innocence and purity. When Goodman Brown encounters the woman in the forest, he notices that the ribbon is “fluttering lightly down through the air and caught at her feet” (Hawthorne, 1835, p. 852), suggesting that Faith’s innocence is being corrupted by temptation. Similarly, the woman’s snake-like staff represents temptation and the corrupting influence of the devil. These symbols add depth to the characters and their portrayal, suggesting that they are more than just stereotypes or archetypes but rather complex representations of human nature and the battle between good and evil.
Overall, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of female characters in “Young Goodman Brown” challenges traditional gender stereotypes by depicting women as complex, multi-faceted individuals with agency and independence. While Faith is initially portrayed as an idealized symbol of purity and innocence, her character undergoes significant changes throughout the story, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations. However, the mysterious woman in the forest is portrayed as a flat and static character, reinforcing traditional gender stereotypes of women as seductive and manipulative. However, Hawthorne’s use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to these characters, suggesting that they are more than just stereotypes or archetypes.
Hawthorne’s portrayal of these female characters may also reflect the cultural and societal norms of the time in which the story was set. Nevertheless, the fact that Faith is depicted as a dynamic character who challenges traditional gender roles suggests that Hawthorne was aware of the limitations of gender stereotypes and attempted to subvert them through his writing.
Work Cited
Hawthorne, N. (1835). Young Goodman Brown. In M. Abrams (Ed.), The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Vol. B (pp. 847–857). W. W. Norton & Company.
https://www.nortonanthology.com/
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