The development of literature in America began to stimulate the creation of stories related to events that were happening in that time period. One of the most popular elements of the story is the Salem witch trials, in which the residents of Salem were accused of practicing black magic or worshiping Satan. "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne has Goodman Brown leaving his wife Faith to venture out at night to attend to business matters. During his journey, Goodman Brown discovers that he is not alone when he meets an old man. Hawthorne uses characters and settings to define the proverbial journey of the dark side of faith and humanity's involvement, much of which has been seen throughout the changing ages. Hawthorne uses the character of Goodman Brown as a representation of man's struggle with faith. After the course with the Old Man, Brown is left to wrangle his findings alone in the woods. He is torn between ending his journey or continuing on, after discovering that many of those he trusted with his faith have meddled elsewhere. Before the Old Man leaves, Brown admits that he can no longer continue, “one more step…in this errand. What if a wretched old woman chose to go to hell, when I thought she would go to Heaven? Is this any reason why I should leave my dear Faith and follow her?" (Hawthorne 609). Brown wonders why he should do as Goody Cloyse did before him and choose the dark side and leave the Faith behind. Although Brown states of being uncertain of his choice regarding what the devil asks of him, the question leads to the idea that Brown had seriously considered following the Old Man. Since Brown represents humanity, it is humanity that questions the pat.. . in the center of the card... ung Goodman Brown.” Explicator 65.3 (2007): 143-145. Academic Research Completed. November 19, 2011. Jaynes, Michael. “Moving towards an Understanding of Evil”: Young Goodman Brown, “College Freshmen and Semiotics.” 7.1 (2006): 66-77. International Humanities Comprehensive Network. November 19, 2011 Paulits, Walter J. “Ambivalence in 'Young Goodman Brown'.” American Literature: A Journal of Literary History, Criticism, and Bibliography 41.4 (1970): 577-584. MLA International Bibliography. 17 December 2011 Walsh Jr., Thomas F. “The Bedeviling of Young Goodman Brown.” (1958): 331. Academic Research Completed. December 15, 2011. Zhu, Xian-chun. "Allegory and Symbolism in Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown." completed. Network. 15 December. 2011.