2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Ambiguity in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown"

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Kim Carter-Cram

Abstract

This project aims to revise a literary analysis paper from earlier in my undergraduate career on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “Young Goodman Brown.” The expanded paper explores ambiguity and religion–particularly the Puritan sect of Christianity–as seen in the narrative. The analysis takes into account biographical information of Hawthorne–the author–and historical context for the time of publication (1835) as well the time period of the Salem witch trials, which is the approximate setting for the text. While the trials are not explicitly mentioned, the New England Puritan setting as well as the ‘devil worship’ scene are indicators of the era. Drawing from a number of scholarly interpretations and ideas as well as my own, I will discuss the effect that these aspects of the work create in relation to the reader and the message Hawthorne conveys. The author’s complex relationship with religion and his historically significant religious ancestry shines through in the clear allegory of “Young Goodman Brown” and his night in the woods. Skepticism and loss of Faith–doubly important here because Faith is also the name of Brown’s newly married wife–is the main focus of the analysis.

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