Young Goodman Brown Essay

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Recommended: Puritanism in American Literature

The story “Young Goodman Brown” takes place in Puritan New England, specifically in Salem Massachusetts. The Puritans believed that Salem was set up as a “perfect” religious village, that could set examples for other Christians, namely, the Quakers, the Anglicans, the Catholics, etc. In Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”, Salem represents a bastion of religious faith.
The story is set during the Salem witch trials, a tragic historical event, which involves twenty-five innocent people who were killed by Salem Villagers after being accused of witchcraft. Two of these “witches” are mentioned in Hawthorne’s story, Goody Cloyse and Martha Carrier, as characters. Hawthorne makes reference to this historical evet to remind readers of what took place in Salem Village, and how intolerant the Puritans were of sinful activities.
Hawthorne begins his story with Goodman Brown heading out to run an errand in the woods, at dusk. “The woods was a place where Puritans should not stray” (M.P) due to the inhabitance of the Native Americans, who were believed to be devil worshipers, “There may be a devilish Indian behind every tree” (Hawthorne 4). Going into the woods was a way of considering life outside of Puritan beliefs, a life of sin. This is probably why Hawthorne uses the woods as the setting …show more content…

We have been a race of honest men and good Christians, since the days of the martyrs...” (Hawthorne 6). As they go further into the woods, Goodman recognizes Goody Cloyse, who taught him the principles of Christianity when he was a youth. Not wanting her to see him, Goodman hides, only to realize that the old man is the devil and Goody Cloyse is a witch that works with

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