In "Young Goodman Brown," why does Goodman Brown become a cynical man?

In 's
story, Goodman Brown experiences a total crisis of faith. While the authors leaves unclear
whether Brown actually saw what he thought he saw, or whether his own guilt got the best of him
is in some ways irrelevant. Part of the story's power, as well as its relevance to its colonial
Salem setting, inheres in that very ambiguity.

Goodman sets off into the
forest on an errand he does not disclose to his wife, but says he'll be right back. In the
course of his adventure, he sees everyone whose good character he valued doing abominable things
or represented as diabolical symbols. Even his own grandfather and his wife are not immune.
Perhaps even worse, he sees himself fully participating in these evil acts.

At a certain point, it all vanishes. Was it all real? Did he pass out and come to after they
left? Or was everything an...