Faith Vs. Temptation :: essays research papers

Faith vs. Temptation     Temptation, at one time or another, has touched on the whole of our lives. What made us choose one path over the other? Was it your faith in God, your knowing of what was right and wrong, or was it the influences of the loved ones you not completely surround yourself with, but the one you have trusted to lead down the straight and narrow. All of these questions come to light in Nathaniel Hawthorne& group A8217s two-year-old Goodman brown. Hawthorne& amp8217s tale is of a young, newly wedded man, and his internal struggle between faith and temptation. Set in Salem, at the times of the bewitch trials, Young Goodman Brown begins to question his own faith as the devil himself sheds new light on Brown&8217s strong beliefs. &8220With heaven above, and Faith below, I will yet stand firm against the Devil&8230 Or will he?     Young Goodman Brown prepares to choke on his lonely, life-changing journey, by first say ing good bye to his wife of three months. Faith as his wife is called, for symbolic reasons I&8217m sure, fears for her husband and wishes him to stay. This good bye is Brown&8217s chance to choose faith over temptation. &8220Poor little faith, megabyteght he, for his centerfield smote him. What a wretch am I to leave her on such an errand Brown gives in to temptation. This won&8217t be the last time.      world scared and alone on his journey, Brown talking to himself says, &8220What if the devil himself should be at my elbow A few more steps and Brown now has a companion coincidence? I think not. &8220The only thing about him that could be fixed upon as remarkable as his staff, which bore the likeliness of a great black snake...like a living serpent." It was after this initial greeting and Brown noticing his companion&8217s travel stick that Brown once again was torn between his faith and the temptation of the errand he was on. & nbsp   Goodman Brown tries to convince himself he is doing wrong and turn back. &8220Having kept covenant by meeting thee here, it is my purpose now to return whence I came. I have scruples touching the matter gravitational constant wot&8217st of. The devil tempts Brown in to continuing. &8220Let us walk on, reasoning as we go and if I convince thee not thou shalt turn back. Again Brown gives in to temptation. &8220Too far Too far Exclaimed the goodman, unconsciously resuming his walk.