Isolation In Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

The struggles people face throughout their lifetime, whether on a personal or religious basis, have a profound impact on their views. Nathaniel Hawthorne, a well-respected author of the nineteenth century, experienced many challenges during his lifetime on religious and personal matters shaped his view on two specific topics, sin and isolation. Hawthorne’s stories that focus on sin, illustrate the views of his Puritan ancestors and his opinion about sin; while his other writings focus on isolation resulting from an individual’s physical imperfections, and it becomes an overwhelming force that destroys a person.

Nathaniel Hawthorne grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, where his family was well-recognized by the townspeople. Hawthorne's great-great-grandfather,

He believed all humans were evil but not everyone shows their evil intentions. For example, in “Young Goodman Brown,” Goody Cloyse is described as someone who has very pure intentions and who helps young people learn about the bible. However, Goodman Brown’s assumption that Cloyse is innocent is proven wrong when she is seen interacting with the devil. Goodman Brown finds out that Goody Cloyse plans to perform magic at the ceremony when she tells the devil, “‘but now your good worship will lend me your arm, and we shall be there twinkling’” (Hawthorne “Goodman Brown” 249). As illustrated from the devil’s encounter with Goody Cloyse, someone who shows they have good intentions also have evil qualities. Hawthorne illustrates his belief through the character of Goody Cloyse.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s view on the witch trials is reflected throughout his short stories. The devil in “Young Goodman Brown” highlights that Hawthorne believed people accused of witchcraft were admired and chosen by the devil himself beforehand. Goodman Brown is told by the devil that every person he chooses, is involved in his ceremony, was “‘reverenced from youth’” (Hawthorne “Goodman Brown” 254). The devil illustrates Hawthorne's belief that during the witch trials, anyone who was chosen by the devil was chosen from early