English 2

2

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Faith’s Pink Ribbon Symbol Analysis

           The pink ribbons on Faith’s cap are a symbol of her purity and faith. Though these ribbons stand out in the drab grey and brown puritan society attire, they are decorations that a young, pure, and faithful wife would wear without being considered vain. Hawthorn mentions Faith’s pink ribbons on many occasions to ensure that the reader identifies the ribbons with Faith and her representation of gaiety, youthfulness, naivete and purity (Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown). The colour pink also depicts Faith’s innocence and happiness in contrast with the stark brown of her husband’s character, which is gloomy and doubtful. A few passages later, Young Goodman Brown, is distraught as he presumes that it is Faith laughter that he heard in the mysterious haze carrying townspeople to the dark meeting. His fears are realized when a pink ribbon flutters down from the cloud, confirming her presence. The ribbon is substantial proof that Faith had been tempted and fallen into the realm of the devil, which led to Goodman Brown losing his innocent faith. The next morning as Brown returns to the village after his ordeal, he is met by his joyful wife, who runs to kiss him with pink ribbons intact on her head, the sight of which now repulsed him while before they meant happiness and love (Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown).

References

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "Young Goodman Brown." Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Mosses from an Old Manse. Altemus, 1896. 48.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "Young Goodman Brown." Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Mosses from an Old Manse. Altemus, 1896. 93.