Young Goodman Brown: Theme The story of Young Goodman Brown is about a man and his faith in himself, his wife and the people of the town he lives in. Goodman Brown struggles between the evil temptations, the devil, and the proper church abiding life. Upon entering the forest he is suspicious of every rock and tree, thinking something evil will jump out at him and harm him. When he finally meets someone on the trail, which appears to evil, he feels confident that he can refuse any temptations. This evil person makes several advances and Goodman refuses. This makes him feel strong until they meet his childhood cat