In "Young Goodman Brown," the name represents innocence and refers to someone who is in good standing in the Puritan community. Goodman was used to precede a surname, much like we do today when we would call him "Young Mr. Brown". Goodman can also refer to him as a universal figure, every man.
In "Young Goodman Brown," the name represents innocence and refers to someone who is in good standing in the Puritan community. Goodman was used to precede a surname, much like we do today when we would call him "Young Mr. Brown". Goodman can also refer to him as a universal figure, every man.
Young Goodman Brown was the eponymous character in a much-anthologized short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Presumably, he was called "Young Goodman Brown" in the story (rather than "Old Goodman Brown") because, as he was portrayed in the story, he was simply young rather than old. It is interesting to note that "young" is merely an adjective here, so one would expect that in the natural course of events "Young Goodman Brown" would eventually become "Old Goodman Brown."On the other hand, "Goodman" is his Christian name (or as it is now called, his first name, or forename). Goodman is the sort of name sometimes called an aptronym, that is, a name suited to its bearer---or perhaps a name which Goodman Brown's parents hoped would eventually describe him. Hawthorne set his story in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600s, and as we know, the Puritans were much given to aptronyms for their children, sometime (for example) naming their children after virtues, such as Chastity, Charity Prudence and Patience.Of course, there is the possibility that "Young" is used here in the same way we would use "Junior" today. In that case, Young Goodman Brown's father would have been (presumably) Old Goodman Brown.
Goodman Ace's birth name is Goodman Aiskowitz.
Dody Goodman's birth name is Goodman, Dolores.
Hal Goodman's birth name is Harold Goodman.
Long story short, Faith's name is significant because she symbolizes his faith in the community and God and pretty much. At the end of the book he can no longer trust Faith and thus he loses all of his faith in everything else including himself.
Arnold Goodman's birth name is Arnold Abraham Goodman.
Billy Goodman's birth name is William Dale Goodman.
Elinor Goodman's birth name is Elinor Mary Goodman.
Gabe Goodman's birth name is Gabriel Bennett Goodman.
Oscar Goodman's birth name is Oscar Baylin Goodman.
Patrick Goodman's birth name is Patrick David Goodman.