Young Goodman Brown and Other Hawthorne Short Stories Themes
Give some, teach some and learn some then you will become handsome
"Fortune favors the bold."
Tweet This!People who bravely go after what they want are more successful than people who try to live safely.
"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."
Young Goodman Brown and Other Hawthorne Short Stories Themes by Nathaniel Hawthorne Buy PDF
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Major Themes
Puritanism
Puritanism is often reflected and examined in Hawthorne's works. After breaking with the Anglican Church in England, Puritans moved to New England and developed a strong presence. Hawthorne was raised in Salem, Massachusetts, and his grandfather was a judge in the infamous Salem witch trials. Thus, Puritanism was a very important part of his background, a part that he often questioned throughout his stories; many of Hawthorne's stories take place in Puritan settings.
Though he attended church, he was conflicted regarding the strict intolerance of the religion, which is exemplified through his portrayal of John Endicott in "The Maypole of Merry Mount." In the story, the Puritans and the real historical figure Endicott are described as a group that cruelly thrusts their own morals onto others.
Again, in "Young Goodman Brown", the most upright Puritans are shown associating with the devil, demonstrating the hypocrisy Hawthorne may have seen in his religion or religious neighbors. This also calls to mind Salem's dark historical association with witchcraft.
Good versus Evil in Man
Related to the theme of Puritanism is the idea of man's inherent good and evil nature. Though people may outwardly appear moral, they may bear inward sin. Likewise, those who appear sinful on the outside may have the most clear consciences.
For example, in "The Minister's Black Veil", the minister is perceived as harboring a great sin simply because he wears a veil over his face. However, the minister demonstrates only
"Fortune favors the bold."
Tweet This!People who bravely go after what they want are more successful than people who try to live safely.
"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."
Young Goodman Brown and Other Hawthorne Short Stories Themes by Nathaniel Hawthorne Buy PDF
Buy Paperback
Major Themes
Puritanism
Puritanism is often reflected and examined in Hawthorne's works. After breaking with the Anglican Church in England, Puritans moved to New England and developed a strong presence. Hawthorne was raised in Salem, Massachusetts, and his grandfather was a judge in the infamous Salem witch trials. Thus, Puritanism was a very important part of his background, a part that he often questioned throughout his stories; many of Hawthorne's stories take place in Puritan settings.
Though he attended church, he was conflicted regarding the strict intolerance of the religion, which is exemplified through his portrayal of John Endicott in "The Maypole of Merry Mount." In the story, the Puritans and the real historical figure Endicott are described as a group that cruelly thrusts their own morals onto others.
Again, in "Young Goodman Brown", the most upright Puritans are shown associating with the devil, demonstrating the hypocrisy Hawthorne may have seen in his religion or religious neighbors. This also calls to mind Salem's dark historical association with witchcraft.
Good versus Evil in Man
Related to the theme of Puritanism is the idea of man's inherent good and evil nature. Though people may outwardly appear moral, they may bear inward sin. Likewise, those who appear sinful on the outside may have the most clear consciences.
For example, in "The Minister's Black Veil", the minister is perceived as harboring a great sin simply because he wears a veil over his face. However, the minister demonstrates only