Since Goodman
Brown's name is ironic, it seems thatmaintains a rather skeptical tone toward his character,
especially in the beginning of the narrative. For instance, as Goodman resolves "after
this one night I'll cling to her skirts and follow her to heaven," it is evident that he
intends to "tarry" not with his wife, but with temptation and may not be so good.
That he is rather sanctimonious is also evinced by his feeling "himself justified in making
more haste on his present evil purpose."
As
Goodman proceeds, he expects evil:
"There may be a
devilish Indian behind every tree," said Goodman Brown to himself; and he glanced fearfully
behind him as he added, "What if the devil himself should be at my very
elbow?"
Because he suspects evil, Goodman does,
indeed, discover it in the second traveller who appears. Yet, he deludes himself, telling the
old man with a staff who...
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