The Young Goodman Brown And Radquo: The Erosion Of Faith In Society

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The Erosion of Faith in Society The strength of religious beliefs and faith in God are dependent upon individuals and the society they live in. The personal experiences or the actions of a society can negatively effect these religious beliefs and faith in god. Another aspect which affects faith and religion are the barriers individuals and society place in between themselves and their religious beliefs. The short story “The Young Goodman Brown” and the poem “God’s Grandeur” share one common theme, the erosion of faith throughout society. The destruction of an individuals or society’s faith can be caused by negative experiences. In the story “The Young Goodman Brown” the character’s faith…show more content…
Within the story “The Young Goodman Brown” the staff carried by the traveler represents a barrier in Goodman Brown’s spiritual journey. He watched the staff “twist and wriggle itself like a living serpent” (399) in the hands of the traveler. The staff and its physical appearance mirrored Goodman Brown’s internal struggle to keep the evil emotions he felt within the woods from affecting his religious beliefs. The poem “God’s Grandeur” contains these words “Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod” (8) to describe society’s ongoing separation from God. Society’s separation happens because we have physically removed ourselves from nature. Due to this separation man can not truly feel the power of God. Emotions felt by an individual or the physical actions of a society can cause the exclusion of religion within these two…show more content…
The decline in religion can be caused by personal or societal barriers. These personal experiences can be the result of witnessing the acts of others that cause their own religious beliefs and morals to be questioned. Even the outward appearance of society’s devotion to God and religion can be more routine and done out of necessity. This blasé attitude can adversely affect religion. To secure their religious beliefs people will block out, or create a barrier to protect themselves from feelings or emotions they deem as evil. A society in general may unknowingly or intentionally create limitations to religion. These limitations can be caused by separating ourselves from those things which are created through the power of God. The erosion of faith is main facet of the short story “The Young Goodman Brown” and the poem “God’s

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