Nathaniel Hawthorne's Journey into Folk Horror
Young Goodman Brown (1835)
First published anonymously in the April 1835 edition of The New England Review, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown is considered to be one of the earliest examples of folk horror fiction. This story follows the titular Goodman Brown as he leaves his wife of three months for a mysterious errand in a dark forest of Salem Village.
“YOUNG Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street at Salem village; but put his head back, after crossing the threshold, to exchange a parting kiss with his young wife.”
Right away we are drawn in to a particular setting. Most of us are aware of what Salem is, what it was, and its particulars. The choice of setting is uniquely important due to the fact Hawthorne’s great-great-grandfather, John Hathorne, was a key judge in the Salem Witch Trials that took place between 1692 and 1693. Nathaniel Hawthorne became as such when he chose to change his last name in an effort to distance himself from his forefather’s crimes.
“So they parted; and the young man pursued his way until, being about to turn the corner by the meeting-house, he looked back and saw the head of Faith still peeping after him with a melancholy air, in spite of her pink ribbons.”
Goodman Brown’s wife, Faith, represents religious faith and purity—as evident by the pink ribbons she wears. The colour pink is associated with gentility. Faith is not only his wife, but the embodiment of the lifestyle he has come to follow. She represents Brown’s struggle to stay faithful to Christianity.
One might speculate that Hawthorne was forever haunted by his heritage, seeking reparation for those injustices through his work. Much of Hawthorne’s work deals with morality, which is in itself a cavernous concept, but relatable to us all. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t questioned themselves on their actions or thoughts.
On his journey, Goodman Brown happens upon an older gentleman who looks strikingly like himself, commenting, “Faith kept me back a while.” Literally, this would mean exactly that, but in a metaphorical sense, Goodman is terrified of what he is to find on this journey—he is scared to abandon his faith. This inner battle with himself is what underpins the entire story.
We are immediately suspicious of this older man, but Goodman Brown is instructed to consult his conscience then decide. This is an allusion to what life for Nathaniel Hawthorne was like. In his time, people were often frightened by the wilderness. Such places were associated with Native Indians, thus a lot of ignorant rhetoric was bandied about. Therefore, writing Goodman Brown as going against his faith by following the man is to follow where the Native Indians tread.
This old man carries a staff with a black snake.
“But the only thing about him that could be fixed upon as remarkable was his staff, which bore the likeness of a great black snake, so curiously wrought that it might almost be seen to twist and wriggle itself like a living serpent.”
In lots of cultures, a black serpent symbolizes transformation, but not always a good one. Additionally, Hawthorne’s readers would have been very familiar with biblical allegory. The above quote is a reference to Exodus 7:11-13:
“Pharaoh called in his wise men and sorcerers. The magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their spells: each man threw down his staff and they all turned into snakes. But then Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.”
In modern speech, to be a snake is to be a traitor, which is not far from the reality of Hawthorne’s time. It is impressed upon us that this journey into the forest is the ultimate act of treachery. The level of detail Hawthorne provides only goes to show the views of the time:
“Verse after verse was sung; and still the chorus of the desert swelled between like the deepest tone of a mighty organ; and with the final peal of that dreadful anthem there came a sound, as if the roaring wind, the rushing streams, the howling beasts, and every other voice of the unconcerted wilderness were mingling and according with the voice of guilty man in homage to the prince of all.”
Deep in the forest, Goodman hears what he describes as “howling beasts” and “rushing streams.” This paints an image of what we have come to associate with folk horror. Everything he experiences is indicative of his perceived wrongdoing. Nathaniel Hawthorne would most likely have experienced these personal battles in his own life. The image of the Witchfinder General from the Salem Witch Trials is exactly the sort of thing Young Goodman Brown portrays.
During their journey, Goodman begins to see people from his town also travelling to this place. This unnerves him because had long associated the townsfolk with purity and goodness. However, he only becomes truly upset when he eventually sees what appears to be his wife taking part in this ritualistic practice. At this point, Faith loses the pink ribbons she had been wearing: in turn, losing her perceived innocence:
“The young man seized it, and beheld a pink ribbon. ‘My Faith is gone!’ cried he, after one stupefied moment. ‘There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given.’”
This is the last thing he witnesses before waking up. He is unsure whether it was a nightmare, but whatever happened, Goodman Brown is a changed man. Unable to trust his wife or his town, he dies a bitter and cynical man. One could argue that this is a semi-autobiographical story for Hawthorne, illustrating his struggle with what his ancestors did and what society tells him is the right thing to do. But what does Young Goodman Brown mean for the modern era?
Most certainly in the USA, the church is a heavy presence. In today’s world we are seeing abhorrent scenes of book burnings, suppression of women’s rights, and the resurgence of fascism. To be blinded by people who manipulate you into a hateful state is akin to Goodman Brown’s own struggle. Some will accept they were wrong, but just like our protagonist, some will forever resent the eradication of their misguided beliefs.
In pop culture, Hawthorne’s story has had quite the impact; serving as the inspiration for Brandon Flowers’ Can’t Deny My Love music video.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story, much to his disbelief, continues to affect all who read it today. It is fantastically written and a credit to the folk horror scene. And despite my analysis here, there will always be more to discuss with regards to Young Goodman Brown, for the world and its views continue to evolve—and in some cases, devolve.